After succumbing to a rare failure against Pakistan in the recently concluded ODI series,  Australia fought back brilliantly to achieve an unassailable 3-0 clean sweep in the T20I series. With the series decided firmly in favor of the hosts, Australia did not leave any stone unturned coming into the third T20I at Hobart where a spirited effort bowling effort from the Australian quicks left the visitors gasping for breath.

Despite some gutsy contributions from Babar and Haseebullah, Rizwan’s decision to bat first flopped big-time as Pakistan were bundled out cheaply for 117 inside 18.1 overs.

Pakistan’s vulnerable batting lineup exposed at the Bellerive Oval

The young pace attack of Australia accounted for the bulk of the damage. Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, and Aaron Hardie ran riot in Hobart sharing seven wickets. Whereas only two wickets fell to spin, Zampa claiming all two of them. 

After losing Sahibzada Farhan early in the innings, Babar and Haseebullah laid a solid foundation for Pakistan and pushed the score to 61-1 by the end of the seventh over. But once the partnership was ended by Zampa, the Pakistan batting lineup capitulated almost instantly. 

It took no time for Hardie to run through the middle order while Ellis, Bartlett, and Johnson saved their best for the end to curtail the Pakistan innings well inside the allotted 20 overs. Following the fall of the second wicket, Pakistan lost their way completely as the visitors could only add another 56 runs at the expense of eight wickets.

Aaron Hardie registers third-best T20I bowling figures against PAK

Hardie’s impressive outing with the ball was instrumental in triggering such a collapse for Pakistan. The young aspiring all-rounder claimed three prize wickets of Usman, Agha, and Abbas while going for only 21 runs in his allotted four overs. Although his spell saw a couple of wides and a no-ball, Hardie only managed to concede two fours in his entire quota. 

His figures of 3-21 are now the third-best figures registered by any Australian bowler against Pakistan in T20I cricket. The youngster is now only behind Starc and Zampa who currently hold the best figures of 3-11 and 2-11 respectively.  

It was all too easy for Australia in the second innings as Stoinis' belligerent cameo of an unbeaten 61 (27) powered Australia to a crushing 7-wicket win in the third T20I helping them chase down the target inside 12 overs. 

See also: Did the Brisbane T20I involve any mistake or cheating?

Pakistani speedster Haris Rauf has been firing on all cylinders in the ongoing white-ball series against the mighty Australians. His fiery thunderbolts and excellent precession with the ball have left the Australian batters huffing and puffing for breath. He finished the ODI series as the top-wicket taker bagging 10 wickets at a stunning average of 12. Moreover, his ability to generate swing through the air at an express pace made him a far more lethal prospect as opposed to his counterparts Shaheen, Naseen, and Hasnain.

Rauf has carried his lethal form into the ongoing T20I series where he still continues to wreak unbelievable havoc on the Australian batters. Although being enormously expensive in the first T20I, Rauf managed to make a comeback and star with the ball in the second T20I. His figures of 4-22 helped Pakistan curtail the initial onslaught from the Aussie openers as the home side came crashing down from 48-0 after 3 overs to 147-9 after 20 overs, all thanks to Rauf's sheer brilliance with the ball.

But despite a spirited bowling from Rauf and the rest of the bowling department, Pakistan failed to deliver with the bat and fell short by 14 runs in the last over. 

Here is how Rauf owned the Australian batters at the SCG

Pakistan's pace bowling combination Shaheen and Naseem got off to the worst possible start and received some terrible pounding at the hands of Matthew Short and Fraser-McGurk. Rauf was introduced into the attack when the scoreboard read 48-0 and with 17 overs to go, Australia looked all set for a colossal first-innings score in excess of 200 at the minimum. 

But as fate would have it, Australia only managed to add a mere 99 runs to their total after the initial burst from their openers thanks to some gutsy fightback from Rauf, Abbas, and Muqeem. The trio not only managed to keep the run flow down but also managed to strike deadly blows to dent Australia at every phase of the innings. 

Haris Rauf in particular was the pick of the bunch as he went on to register his career-best T20I figures of 4-22 against Australia. He immediately left an impact in his very first over by dismissing Fraser-McGurk and the skipper Inglis in quick succession inside his first over to get Pakistan into the game. And subsequently, the paceman also struck in the dying phases of Australia's innings removing David and Bartlett when they were trying to push the scoring rate. With added support from Abbas and Muqeem, the bowlers were able to pull things back and restrict Australia to a score that was certainly gettable on a track like SCG. 

It really is Haris Rauf's series 🤣 #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/I4YkA7i7Eq

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 16, 2024

What was more impressive about Rauf today was the agility he displayed on the field. Despite, bowling his heart out, Rauf was happy to throw himself around the field to make vital stops, such as the one in the above video where he made a desperate diving attempt to prevent a certain boundary for his side. 

Pakistan's poor show with the bat cost them the series

Despite a stellar show with the ball, Pakistani batters were not equal to the task tonight. The Pakistani top order failed to put up any resistance of sorts as Babar and Farhan were removed for single-digit scores while the skipper Rizwan consumed far too many deliveries to score just 16 runs at a strike rate of only 61.53. Although Usman Khan stitched a valiant stand of 58 runs with Irfan to revive the run chase. However,  his departure brought a swift downfall for the visitors as wickets kept tumbling at an alarming rate thus preventing Pakistan failed to prevail in what appeared to be a modest run chase. 

Following the defeat in Sydney, Rizwan and his men have lost the T20I series as Pakistan still searches for their elusive maiden T20I win in Australia. With the final T20I scheduled to be played in Hobart on Monday, Pakistan would hope for a much-improved performance across all departments and aim for a consolation win to conclude their memorable white-ball tour on a high.  

See also: BCCI objects to PCB’s POK plan; ICC puts Champions Trophy tour on hold

Josh Inglis will assume the captaincy role following the conclusion of the second ODI at Adelaide and will lead the Men in Yellow in the third ODI as well as the forthcoming T20I series against Pakistan which is expected to commence on November 14. He will lead the side in the absence of premium stalwarts such as Mitch Marsh and Travis Head who are both unavailable due to paternity leave and Test preparation. 

In addition, Australia's Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins and vice-captain Steve Smith will also not be available to feature for the remainder of the series in order to prepare for the grueling Border Gavaskar Test series. 

Inglis to lead a whole new-look Australia squad 

Following his captaincy appointment, Inglis becomes the 14th T20I captain and the 30th ODI captain to lead Australia. He will have his work cut out as his side will be without the services of experienced Cummins, Smith, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Marnus Labuschagne, all of whom will be away to prepare for the much-awaited Border Gavaskar Test series. 

The squad will feature some fresh faces in the form of Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, and Josh Philippe who have made limited yet impactful international appearances for Australia in recent times. Moreover, Lance Morris has also been included as a cover for Josh Hazlewood and is likely to feature in the last ODI of the three-match series. 

Dissecting Inglis' captaincy background

Unlike his teammates Matt Short, Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa, and Nathan Ellis, Inglis does not have any credible captaincy experience under his belt. The 29-year-old does not have any captaincy experience at the BBL level unlike some of his fellow teammates. But the flamboyant wicket-keeper batter is widely renowned for his leadership qualities and his tactical instinct at the domestic level.  

Inglis served as the vice-captain for the Perth Scorchers during the previous season and played a significant role within their leadership team. He was a leading candidate to assume the captaincy following Ashton Turner's season-ending injury. However, Aaron Hardie was ultimately selected for the position. This decision was primarily influenced by a preference to avoid appointing a wicketkeeper as captain, particularly given the time constraints faced by the younger bowlers.

In the ongoing three-match ODI series, Australia have taken an early 1-0 lead following a nervy win at the MCG. The hosts will once again lock horns with the visitors in the second ODI at Adelaide where they will look to wrap up the series in one of the most clinical ways possible. 

See also: ICC WTC 2023-25: A saga of strange wins and shocking defeats

After a record-breaking victory in a three-match T20I series opener against the hosts Scotland, Australia claimed another solid win in the second game to secure the T20I series by 2-0. Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis created some great records with his century in the second match of the series. 

Hosts Scotland chose to field first after winning the toss. Although the Aussie openers Jake Fraser-McGurk (11) and Travis Head (0) were dismissed cheaply, the no.3 wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis took charge of the innings. With the help of three fours and four sixes, Inglis completed fifty in just 20 balls. 

Inglis had a 92-run partnership for the third wicket, where Green scored 36 off 29 balls (two fours and two sixes) before Chris Sole took his wicket. 

SEE ALSO: Musheer-Navdeep set Duleep Trophy partnership record

Josh Inglis slammed a 43-ball century

Inglis had another 64-run partnership with Marcus Stoinis for the fourth wicket. Inglis completed his second T20I century in 43 balls. Before his dismissal in the 19th over, Inglis scored 103 off 49 balls with the help of seven fours and seven sixes.

Stoinis was not out on run-a-ball 20 runs, and Tim David scored 17 not out off seven balls, as Australia scored 196/4 in 20 overs. Scotland bowler Brad Currie picked up three wickets (3/37) in that innings. 

Australia won by 70 runs

In reply, Scotland were all out for 126 runs in 16.4 overs, as Australia won by 70 runs. Only Brandon McMullen (59 off 42 balls; four fours and four sixes) and the opener George Munsey (19) reached double-digit figures in that innings, while the Aussie bowlers spent 14 extras. 

All six Aussie bowlers picked up at least one wicket in the match. However, Marcus Stoinis (4/23) and Cameron Green (2/16) had more than one wicket in that innings.

Josh Inglis set following records with his latest T20I century

• First Australian wicketkeeper-batter to score a T20I hundred

Josh Inglis became the first Australian wicketkeeper to record a T20I century. The previous highest T20I score by an Australian wicketkeeper-batter was 80 runs by Matthew Wade against India during the 2020 Sydney T20I. 

• Third Aussie batter to score multiple T20I centuries

After Glenn Maxwell (five centuries) and Aaron Finch (two centuries), Inglis became the third Australian cricketer to record more than one T20I century. It was his second T20I hundred, while his first T20I century was not as a wicketkeeper-batter (110 vs India in the 2023 Visakhapatnam T20I). 

• Joint fastest T20I century by a wicketkeeper-batter

With his 43-ball hundred, Inglis recorded the joint fastest T20I century as a wicketkeeper-batter. Previously, during the 2023 Centurion T20I, South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock recorded a 43-ball century against the West Indies. 

• Fastest T20I hundred by an Australian batter

Meanwhile, Inglis’ 43-ball century set a new record for the fastest T20I century by an Australian batter. The previous record was 47-ball hundreds by three Aussie batters, including one from Josh Inglis. 

Fastest T20I centuries by Australian batters

Australia has a three-way race for one spot in the T20 World Cup. Up until last year, Matthew Wade was the one for the spot. Matthew Wade though has made a remarkable return. From thinking the last World Cup would be his last time representing Australia to leading them a year later in India, he has kept himself relevant.

Alex Carey is another one who is in and around the discussion. He has been in good touch over the last few years in the Big Bash League and is a regular in Tests. In white-ball cricket, he was a regular until Josh Inglis took his spot after a game in the World Cup.

Josh Inglis though looks like a frontrunner. In the first T20, bowlers were left scratching their heads while bowling to him. He looked very clean and fluent with his stroke play. With inventive stroke play, he kept the bowlers thinking and confused. In the first T20, after opening his account with a textbook cover drive, Inglis was quick to pick his bowlers and attacked his way through to a strong century.

See Also: Rachin Ravindra Living the Dream – Cricket Winner

His numbers in the BBL too have been pretty solid in the last few years. Unlike Carey, his numbers came in the middle-order, which adds to his fortunes considering Australia is likely to use their wicket-keepers lower in the order, primarily as finishers.

From Inglis though it was complete domination against India. The bowlers had no answers for him and he made it a point to convert his start, something he struggled to do two years ago.

Back in 2021, he missed a spot in the Test side when Alex Carey took Tim Paine’s spot. A year later, he was meant to be in the side for the T20 World Cup until a freak injury ruled him out. In the 2023 World Cup though an upward curve seems to have gotten underway.

He succeeded straightaway against Sri Lanka. In the remaining games though, Jos Inglis was around but did not have too much of a noticeable impact. An under-rated moment though remains his contribution in the Semi-Finals as he guided them close to the target.

In the T20 side, Josh Inglis has replaced Matthew Wade, barring this series with Wade as captain. Wade though still remains in and around as does Carey. Inglis though, with a solid performance to start with is showing that he is the one for the job.

Steven Smith

Steven Smith, an all time great for Australia, has been in doubt for the T20I side in recent times. With Smith lacking fire-power and considering Mitchell Marsh’s success at number three, Steve Smith was phased out for Tim David, in a bid to add more fire power. In four games at the BBL so far though, Steve Smith has added another point to the debate over his spot in the T20 side. As an opener, he came in for four games, and is the ninth leading run-scorer in the current season, with them most sixes in the tournament and two centuries. He now gave himself a case to make the squad as an opener, and could find himself back with Aaron Finch’s future in the Australian team uncertain.

Matthew Short

Matthew Short from the Adelaide Strikers had his moments in the tournament. With Chris Lynn as his partner, he held his own and also provided one of the best knocks in the BBL with a century to chase down 230. His style of play makes him an asset in T20 Cricket. As an opener he does not take too long to get underway. With the ball too, Matthew Short is very handy. He can chip in with a few overs, and is very useful in the powerplay. On the field too, Short has taken some sharp catches, and with leadership credentials to add too, he has enough on his resume to be considered by the selectors.

See Also: Can Marnus Labuschagne Handle India’s Trial By Spin? – Cricket Winner

Aaron Hardie

Aaron Hardie came into this season on the back of some incredible performances in the Sheffield Shield. He has been a part of the Perth Scorchers for a while and finally got a decent run in the eleven. Replacing Mitchell Marsh, Aaron Hardie started at 6, and performed very well. He was promoted to three later on and continued his good season. Due to injury concerns, he did not bowl too much, but can be a handy bowler on his day.

Josh Inglis

Josh Inglis is another talent who has been on the Australian team fringes for a long time. He missed out on the T20 World Cup with a freakish injury but came back quickly to prove his worth as a middle-order batter. He can open the batting, come up with flashy shots in the middle-order and is a very good wicket-keeper, making him a really good candidate for the wicket-keeper spot after Matthew Wade retires.

Sean Abbott

Sean Abbott is a BBL Champion. He has some incredible numbers in the tournament but always ends up behind the pecking order when it comes to the Australian team. He is still on and around the fringes for the white-ball side, and this season has been as good as any for him. With the big three likely to have their workload managed, Sean Abbott could finally see opportunities come his way in the coming days.

Paddy Dooley

Paddy Dooley with his unique action and leg-spin became a surprise trump card for the Hobart Hurricanes. With 19 wickets in 10 games, he became their go to bowler and is now a massive option for the T20 World Cup which will be played in the West Indies, where the pitches are known to be slow and low.