Twenty20, I have always believed, is a game for specialists. Because
every over is crucial and because a match can change course in a matter
of balls, a team must employ at all times players capable of taking
charge. So if you can bowl a bit and bat a bit, and do a job on the
field, get yourself another job. I am looking for only match-winners.
The openers pick themselves. Both Shane Watson and Chris Gayle failed in
their final matches, but who'd dare keep them out? Between them they
scored nearly 500 runs at 150, and hit 31 sixes. If they got going
together, fielders could actually relax - the crowd would be busy
catching. Behind them are the men of silk and style. Both have been
pushed down a slot, but Mahela Jayawardene and Virat Kolhi can purr as
well as vroom, and have the technique to find runs on tough pitches.
Marlon Samuels would have been a serious candidate even before the
final, but after that innings he just saunters in. That he can give a
couple of overs of fast spin, though I would be loath to bowl him, gives
him a few more points. Not considering Kieron Pollard is personal
choice, and Michael Hussey, in this case is far more versatile
cricketer. The wicketkeeper was a tough choice, and I did consider MS
Dhoni before settling for Brendon McCullum. He doesn't like batting
lower down these days, but he has the goods to deliver at No. 7.
For bowlers, their batting wasn't even a consideration. Lasith Malinga
wasn't in the list even before the final because he is no longer the
trustworthy match-winner he used to be. Mitchell Starc was the most
impressive new-ball bowler of the tournament, both miserly, and
attacking. Umar Gul was certainly an option, but I went for Steven
Finn's wicket-taking ability both at the top and at the death. Tall
bowlers are always tough to get away, and they get wickets out of
nowhere.
There was hardly a doubt about the spinners. Greame Swann and R Ashwin
did the job for their teams, but Saeed Ajmal and Sunil Narine were the
best spinners of the tournament. If you can't pick them, you can't hit
them.
And yes, I still trust Jayawardene to lead.
The XI: Chris Gayle, Shane Watson, Mahela Jayawardene (capt),
Virat Kohli, Marlon Samuels, Michael Hussey, Brendon McCullum (wk),
Mitchell Starc, Saeed Ajmal, Sunil Narine, Steven Finn
****
David Hopps' picks
Shane Watson has surely been the most valuable player of World Twenty20.
Jot him down as an opener and, as he consistently gave Australia
devastating starts with his medium pace, he immediately provides the
balance that all teams crave.
To gain that balance, a batsman-keeper is also essential and, although
Kumar Sangakkara came into contention, I wanted somebody with the power
to bat at No. 7. I was tempted by Brendon McCullum, who had a fine
tournament for New Zealand, but subcontinent pitches eventually swung it
for MS Dhoni.
Dhoni will not captain, though, or for that matter have any say in team
selection. The captaincy goes to Mahela Jayawardene, whose relaxed
approach and wise counsel drew out the best from his Sri Lankan side.
His lending of the captaincy in the final Super Eights game against
England to Sangakkara to escape a potential overrate ban was a bit
cheeky, but I can't get that annoyed about it; he retains my vote.
Jayawardene will have to bat at No. 3, though, to allow Chris Gayle to
open with Watson. No batsman has such an obvious capability to wreak
destruction. In the middle order, I have preferred Virat Kohli, India's
next superstar, and Eoin Morgan, who likes games to be set up for him
and who should have a better chance with this XI than he did with
England. Michael Hussey's immense knowledge of his own game and ability
to manage the most pressurised situation was used by Australia at No. 3,
but in this side he can revert to No. 6, where he has batted before.
Nasir Jamshed was the young player I omitted with reluctance.
That only leaves four specialist bowlers, with Gayle and Watson having
to make up the fifth bowler - a vulnerability that opponents will have
to punish if they are to have a chance of winning. Lasith Malinga, in
front of his home crowd, and a left-armer, Mitchell Starc, who had a
good tournament for Australia, get the new ball ahead of Dale Steyn and
Steven Finn. Spin is left with the Pakistan pair of Saeed Ajmal and, for
the sake of debate, Raza Hasan.
The XI: Shane Watson, Chris Gayle, Mahela Jayawardene (capt),
Virat Kohli, Eoin Morgan, Michael Hussey, MS Dhoni (wk), Mitchell Starc,
Raza Hasan, Saeed Ajmal, Lasith Malinga
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