Aussies bank on T20 switch to curb Pakistan dominance

Wednesday at 05:42 AM

Josh Inglis expects the move to Twenty20 cricket will free Australian batters’ minds after Pakistan’s one-day dominance and is confident the format change will work in their favour at the Gabba.

The sides meet for the first of three T20 Internationals in Brisbane on Thursday, the tourists on a high after nine and eight-wicket wins resulted in a 2-1 series triumph in the 50-over series.

Not since 1992 have Australia been beaten so comprehensively in that format on home soil.

But stand-in white-ball captain Josh Inglis insists the mental demons won’t extend to Brisbane, despite both sides fielding similar squads.

“T20 is a totally different format; we learn from it and the information we gathered.

“We’ve a good T20 team; we’re free-flowing, take positive options and everyone will do that.”

Inglis did admit the batting group needed to offer more after Pakistan’s fast bowlers ripped through them for 163 and 140 in successive games.

“They were big losses and it’s not something we’re very used to … the batting group didn’t score enough runs and that’s on us to rectify,” the wicketkeeper said.

“I’m not going to tell anyone how to bat and I’m in the same boat.

“Everyone’s got their own methods and how they go about it.

“It’s about freeing them up this week, almost forget about what’s happened before … it’s a new format, attack it head on and keep backing yourself.”

Interim Pakistan coach and former Australian quick Jason Gillespie had criticised Cricket Australia for their poor promotion of the T20 series, saying it “wasn’t the highest of priorities for Australia” ahead of India’s visit for five Tests.

Inglis dismissed the comments as “not very fair”, saying the nature of modern cricket was that series now often overlapped and schedules were crowded.

“Definitely not; we’ve seen how good a side this (Pakistan) team is and we don’t take any team we come against lightly,” he said.

“There’s always pride when you’re putting on this shirt.”

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