Thomas Draca Exclusive: Hardik Pandya, ‘special’ pendant and T20 World Cup dream
The sudden departure marks a stunning collapse for one of the tournament’s heavyweights, which has been plagued by injuries, questionable selections and a dramatic drop in performances. The absence of pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and retired T20 spearhead Mitchell Starc left the attack badly exposed. The Australian said the bowling unit was a “shadow of its former glory” and added that players who were key to previous success “have fallen off a cliff when the stakes are highest.Australia’s campaign continued to roil amid fierce criticism of selection decisions, particularly Steve Smith’s handling. Despite strong form, Smith was initially overlooked and later added as cover. “We still didn’t have a conclusive answer as to why he wasn’t in Colombo yet,” the paper wrote, questioning why the proven anti-spin player was absent during the crucial defeat to Zimbabwe and later left out again when the middle order collapsed against Sri Lanka.
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Hogg said the problems revealed deeper structural problems. “We don’t have that kind of bowling depth and that really shows,” he told Talksport, warning that the selectors urgently need to rethink the future. “They have to look at their bowling depth… what will our next generation look like?”Adding to the humiliation was British broadcaster Piers Morgan mocking Australia’s departure and posting sarcastic condolences online.