Aussies play it safe as Maxwell returns for warm-up
Australia are taking a cautious approach in Colombo as Glenn Maxwell prepares to return in their sole official warm-up match ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Maxwell will feature in tonight’s practice clash against the Netherlands, Australia’s final hit-out before opening their Group B campaign against Ireland on Wednesday at the R. Premadasa Stadium. However, Adam Zampa, Tim David and Nathan Ellis — all deemed fit — will be rested as the team prioritises readiness for the tournament opener.
Mitchell Marsh’s side will field a traditional XI at the Premadasa Stadium in a match that will not be broadcast. Josh Hazlewood remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from an Achilles injury in Sydney, while travelling reserve Sean Abbott will also miss the contest.
Maxwell, David and Ellis only rejoined the squad in Colombo earlier this week after sitting out Australia’s three-match T20 tour of Pakistan. All three took part in their first full training session on Wednesday night.
Maxwell appeared sharp in the nets, regularly finding the middle and showing signs of moving past a disappointing Big Bash campaign. David followed an extensive running session with a lengthy hit under lights at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground.
Ellis, who like David is returning from a hamstring injury sustained during the KFC BBL|15 season, completed fielding and running drills before bowling and facing throwdowns later in the session.
Zampa was present at training but did not participate, having bowled only two overs and skipped batting in the third T20 against Pakistan due to a groin issue. His absence is considered precautionary, but it continues a disrupted lead-in for the defending champions.
Australia were swept 3-0 by Pakistan in Lahore, with several first-choice players unavailable as they completed rehabilitation programs. Hazlewood will also miss the early stages of the World Cup after the Achilles injury that sidelined him for Australia’s 4-1 Ashes series win.
The Australians are aided by a later start to their campaign, becoming the final one of the 20 teams to begin play, giving them four extra days of preparation before facing Ireland. The tournament begins on Saturday with Pakistan playing the Netherlands in Colombo, followed by West Indies against Scotland in Kolkata and co-hosts India opening against the United States in Mumbai.
Zampa’s absence from the warm-up match brings left-arm spinners Matthew Kuhnemann and Cooper Connolly into focus as they push for selection in the starting XI. Spin is expected to play a major role in Sri Lanka, where Australia will contest all four of their Group B matches.
More than 40 per cent of wickets in men’s T20 internationals in Sri Lanka have fallen to spin, compared to roughly one-third at the Indian venues scheduled for the Super Eight stage.
Kuhnemann was Australia’s most economical spinner behind Zampa during the Pakistan series, while Connolly arrives fresh from a career-best BBL campaign with the Perth Scorchers, claiming 15 wickets — including six in the first over — after regularly taking the new ball.
Australia struggled against Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack on Lahore’s turning surface, but their batting line-up is set to be bolstered by the returns of Maxwell and David, both of whom have previously thrived in subcontinental conditions.
Maxwell’s highest T20 international score — a blistering 145 not out from 65 balls — came in Kandy in 2016. Australia will return to that venue later in the group stage to face co-hosts Sri Lanka and Oman, after opening their tournament against Ireland and Zimbabwe in Colombo.
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