Aussies juggle T20 focus with Ashes

by Robert SMITH

CRICKET: SYDNEY, May 30, 2009 - Australia's chances of being successful in the World Twenty20 may be compromised by its close proximity to the time-honoured Ashes series against England.

The Aussies always profess a desire to win every tournament they enter, yet such is the traditional pull of the 127-year Ashes battle that there are doubts Ricky Ponting's team will not have the World Twenty20 fully in their focus. Just three days after the Lord's June 21 final, the Australians have their Ashes tour opener against Sussex with the first Test down to start on July 8 in Cardiff.

Australia lost to eventual champions India by 15 runs in the semi-finals of the inaugural 2007 World Twenty20 in South Africa and have a mixed bag of success in the hybrid form of the game.

In 21 T20 internationals, Australia have won 11 for a winning 52 percentage and down the pecking order behind Pakistan (76 percent), Sri Lanka and South Africa (both 61 percent) and India (53).

The Australians head into the world tournament on the back of three losses to South Africa (twice) and Pakistan after beating the Proteas twice and New Zealand last January-February.

Selectors were criticised for not selecting enough T20 specialists, preferring to include 10 of the players who were subsequently chosen for the 16-strong Ashes touring party.

Former national coach John Buchanan believes Australia should have picked a squad of specialists for the World Twenty20 instead of the bulk of their Ashes squad.Buchanan said he would have preferred specialists, Shane Harwood, Cameron White and Shaun Tait in the lineup.

AFP