The IPL Season: Australian Players Eyeing World Cup Glory 2024
With the commencement of the 2024 IPL on March 22, Australian cricketers are gearing up for a season full of opportunities, aiming to secure their spots in the T20 World Cup squad set for June’s showdown in the Caribbean and USA.
A formidable Australian team will enter the Indian Premier League with much to gain ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup.
Spotlight on Cameron Green and Spencer Johnson
Twelve, maybe thirteen, members of Australia’s T20 World Cup roster are confirmed. However, national selector George Bailey has stated publicly that the final determination of the available spots will take into account players’ IPL performances.
The people who stand to gain the most over the next two weeks are Cameron Green and Spencer Johnson. Prior to the New Zealand Test series, Green was purposefully permitted to concentrate on red-ball cricket rather than playing the Twenty20 Internationals, and his 174 not out in Wellington was a convincing result. The fact that he will have a whole IPL to hone his T20 skills was taken into consideration by the selection.
“It’s a constant conversation with multi-format players, working out the priority at any given time, and making sure they get what they need but he’s certainly one whose name I think, as we are finalising that 15 for the World Cup, will be firmly in the mix,” Bailey stated.
Green was traded from the Mumbai Indians, and if he performs well for Royal Challengers Bangalore (if he can reach the XI), his versatility will make him a strong choice. If he covers more ground than Steven Smith, that might be the question.
In the meanwhile, Johnson trails Nathan Ellis in the order of preference for pace should Australia choose to choose only the four specialist quicks. Johnson had an outstanding BBL before bowling with pace and aggression against the West Indies and, for a little while, New Zealand, so he is doing all in his power to put pressure on the selectors. He might be a strong choice if he lives up to his AU$1.78 million price tag with the Gujarat Titans.
In a similar vein, Jason Behrendorff, who won their T20I player of the year award, also played for Australia throughout the home summer. He may stay in the running if he plays well for the Mumbai Indians, particularly if there are injuries.
Also Read: RCB Dominated Delhi Capitals To Clinch Maiden WPL Title
Â
Following the previous series against New Zealand, Matthew Wade remarked, “I don’t envy George’s [Bailey] position, but it’s going to be tight for those last few spots.”
“A few unfortunate players will be among the 15, so I wouldn’t want to be selecting them. But injuries are always present. We’re glad we have so much depth because guys outside the 15 may also receive opportunities.”
Mitchell Starc Returns
There has been a significant lapse in Mitchell Starc’s IPL appearances. Due to an injury and a desire to focus on Test cricket, he was not able to play for the Indian cricket team until 2015. In that team, AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Virat Kohli were the top three players. Starc finished the 2015 season with 20 wickets at 14.55 with an economy of just 6.76, adding to his 34 wickets at 20.38 total with an economy of 7.16.
This time, Starc will play for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Shortly after teammate Pat Cummins broke his own record, Starc shattered the record for the highest price at the auction, bringing home an incredible AUD$4.43 million.
Shortly after the paddle was brought down, Starc remarked, “There’ll definitely be pressure, but hopefully the extra experience from my last IPL helps.”
Starc’s two recent appearances in the T20I series against New Zealand were his first in the format since the 2022 T20 World Cup, which makes sense given Australia’s emphasis on Tests and ODIs during the past eighteen months.
“With the IPL and the caliber of cricket it offers, the T20 World Cup is a great lead-in to that. After landing his IPL contract, he remarked, “It’s considerably more calm in terms of the [Australian] schedule. “Instead of bowling in the nets in April and May – generally there’s no batter there – so it’s much more interesting to go and play in an IPL and test myself against the best.”
Also Read: CSK Wins 2023 IPL Final to Crown Joint 5 Times Champions
 Also Read: Mumbai Wins Their 5th IPL Title
Even if Australia’s winter schedule is less busy abroad, certain players who have had a busy few years still have cricket to play in the IPL. Although there will be a long break following the T20 World Cup in June, there will be some hope that prominent players won’t burn out before the competition concludes.
Travis Head is one player who comes to mind; he will play for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Following the highs of the ODI World Cup, where he had to race against time to enter the tournament midway because of a broken hand, his form declined dramatically throughout the summer at home, with his century in Adelaide being his lone noteworthy performance.
He did not play in the Test against New Zealand, but he did not perform well in the white-ball matches against the West Indies. In the T20 World Cup, he is expected to play a significant part at the top of the order.
Following the Test series against New Zealand, Australia’s coach Andrew McDonald stated, “There’s a lot of stresses.” “He was recovering from a serious injury sustained during the World Cup, which drains both your physical and emotional reserves. Without a doubt, Trav’s inclusion into all three formats and his decision to take a little break during the Australian summer will teach us a few things.
Langer’s Comeback as Coach
The fact that Justin Langer is returning to coaching for the first time since his contentious departure from the Australian national team is another intriguing Australian perspective at this year’s IPL. Having taken Andy Flower’s place in the position, he will manage the Lucknow Super Giants.
With Ashton Turner, the Perth Scorchers’ batter, and Marcus Stoinis staying in Perth, Langer will have a lot of Western Australian spice surrounding him. Turner’s domestic season was cut short due to knee surgery, though. Adam Voges, the coach of the Perth Scorchers and WA, has also joined him as an assistant.
Langer led Australia to victory in the 2021 T20 World Cup and has remarkable success with the Scorchers in the BBL. However, it will be interesting to watch how he handles the IPL pressure, especially if LSG don’t get off to a strong start.
