Their matches were abandoned due to rain and poor net run rate played against fate of Australian team, which also ended on points in their group with England and New Zealand.
Taylor said Australia’s desire to play “fearless” cricket has backfired and believes an old head may need to be selected in Smith to deal with the conditions due to the amount of wet pitches used during the tournament.
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“As we have seen in this tournament, the pitches have done a big job, you need someone like Steve Smith. New Zealand had Kane Williamson,” Taylor said. “India had Virat Kohli who has been the best player of the tournament and could have stabilised the innings in the middle overs.
It’s not been a loss and bash tournament, you need someone to guide the innings and Australia sadly lacked Steve Smith in that middle order. Taylor admitted that Smith’s chances of being available for the next T20 World Cup in 2025 were slim, but was still disappointed that he was relatively non-factor at home.
“It’s hard for me to see Steve Smith out of any match for Australia,” he told Nines Sports Sunday. They went into the tournament saying they are going to play fearless cricket which is great, but I think it was a mistake to prefer Tim David over Steve Smith in that batting order.”
Shane Watson criticised the decision to drop Mitchell Starc against Afghanistan, claiming that coach Andrew McDonald and his selectors should come under the scanner for Australia’s failure in the T20 World Cup.The result of Australia’s failed campaign continued on Monday, when most expected the hosts to be preparing for the semi-finals.
Watson argued that Australia’s squad lacked intensity throughout, adding that they already looked frustrated by the end of the first over of their opening defeat to New Zealand at the SCG.
He has also been critical of Australia’s long leadership in the tournament, with the selectors tinkering with the team and shifting players to various roles.