Australia’s Greatest IT20 XI
Next summer the Australia Men’s Team will return to Emirates Old Trafford to face England in an IT20 fixture, the first at the iconic stadium since 2009.
With the ballot closing this week for international tickets, we take a look at the best Aussie players to have taken part in the game’s shortest format since it became a part of the International calendar in 2005, many of whom we hope to see in the flesh next summer.
David Warner
2894 runs @ 32.88, strike rate 141.30
The powerful left-hander made a name for himself in T20 internationals after scoring a spectacular 89 on debut against South Africa and in 2019 became the third Australian, after Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell, to score a hundred in every format.
Aaron Finch
3120 runs @ 34.28, strike rate 142.53
Renowned for his six-hitting prowess, Aaron Finch is among the world's top T20 players of all time, having scored Australis’s first century in the format and captained his country to their inaugural T20 World Cup win in 2021. Finch has twice held the record for the highest score in a T20I: his 172 against Zimbabwe in 2018, surpassed the 156 against England in 2013.
Shane Watson
1462 runs @ 29.24, strike rate 145.32. 46 wickets @ 24.72, economy rate 7.65
The Australian allrounder excelled in IT20 cricket. Known for his power-hitting and skills as one of Australia's best exponents of reverse swing, Watson scored 295 runs during the 2012 T20 World Cup winning the Player of the Tournament award.
Glenn Maxwell
2159 runs @ 28.40 , strike rate 150.97
Explosive batting, unorthodox shots, off-spin bowling, and exceptional fielding, Glenn Maxwell stands as one of the fastest scorers in world cricket and perhaps the best Australian T20 cricketer to date, with the ability to change the game's course in limited-overs formats.
Steven Smith
1008 runs @ 25.20, strike rate 125.21
Steven Smith's cricket journey evolved from legspinner to Australia's top batter in all formats. One of the leading Test batsmen in the world for the last decade, Smith also has a healthy record in the IT20s and is one of only seven Australians to score over 1,000 runs in the format.
Mitchell Marsh
1272 runs @ 33.47, strike rate 133.19. 15 wickets @ 23.20, economy rate 7.90
A promising all-rounder with pace in bowling and hard-hitting skills in the middle-order, Mitchell Marsh initially faced challenges in securing his place at the international level but has recently experienced a resurgence, highlighted by a remarkable 77 not out in the 2021 T20 World Cup final, solidifying his role as a key player in Australia's IT20 team.
Matthew Wade
1018 runs @ 24.82, strike rate 132.03
Matthew Wade's cricket career has undergone multiple transformations, from Test wicketkeeper, to specialist middle-order batter, to a T20I World Cup-winning wicketkeeper-finisher. His versatility and adaptability have made him a key player in Australia's IT20 team, where he played a crucial role in their T20 World Cup victory.
Pat Cummins
55 wickets @ 24.54, economy rate 7.37
Pat Cummins' remarkable journey in Australian cricket, marked by overcoming injuries and years of hard work, culminated in him becoming the world's No. 1 Test bowler in 2017 and, in late 2021, assuming the role of Australia's Test captain, showcasing his resilience and substantial contributions as both a bowler and leader on the field. Cummins ranks fourth on the list of highest wicket takers in IT20 for Australia, with many more to come.
Mitchell Starc
73 wickets @ 22.91, economy rate 7.63
A formidable left-arm fast bowler, Mitchell Starc excels in both white-ball and red-ball cricket. Celebrated for his pace, swing, and exceptional World Cup performances, he has established himself as Australia's leading T20I fast bowler-to-date.
Adam Zampa
82 wickets @ 22.23, economy rate 6.98
A dynamic and fiercely competitive legspinner, Adam Zampa has risen to become Australia's top T20 spinner, and was crucial in their T20 World Cup win in 2021, claiming 13 wickets in seven games with an economy rate of 5.81. Zampa has taken more IT20 wickets than any other Australian.
Josh Hazlewood
58 wickets @ 20.36, economy rate 7.68
A tall and accurate fast bowler who is unrelenting in his line and length, Hazlewood became a fixture in Australia's attack across all three formats. He is third on Australia’s all-time leading wicket taker list in IT20’s with four, four-wicket hauls and strike rate of 15.89. His most memorable spell in the format was a match-winning 3-16 in the 2021 T20 World Cup Final.
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England Cricket will host Sri Lanka (Test Match: Wednesday 21 - Sunday 25 August 2024) and Australia (IT20: Sunday 15 September 2024) at Emirates Old Trafford next summer with the ticket ballot now open and seats in high demand.
If you want to beat the ballot, 2024 Memberships are on sale now and give you instant access to secure your tickets today! Click here to find out more.
The Ballot will close on Thursday 5 October 2023.