AUS v PAK 2019: Australia not to tweak much with T20I series on the line, says Justin Langer

There were talks the home team might rest a few of its main players for the series finale.

Australia lead the three-match series 1-0 | Getty

Even though spearhead Pat Cummins has been rested for the T20I series finale against Pakistan in Perth on Friday (November 8), there is absolutely nothing to suggest that the Aussies will be chopping and changing their line-up with the trophy on the line, head coach Justin Langer confirmed. 

There is a line of thought that says Australia would be better off trying its full squad with next year's T20 World Cup at home looming large. However, 1-0 up after the win in Canberra on Tuesday, Langer insisted another series win remains a major priority.

"We've got a great squad," Langer was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. "We'll have a look at the wicket. It might be a bit fast and bouncy at the new stadium. We'll see how that goes but we'll be looking to win the series."

Read Also: Australia rests Pat Cummins before Pakistan Test series 

Billy Stanlake or Sean Abbott would replace Cummins in the line-up, which is set to continue with its initial outlook meaning no rest ahead of the Test season for Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith. 

"In the past, we've used these opportunities (T20 series) to rest some of those guys but we need to get better at it (T20 cricket)."

"It's something that's a priority for Australian cricket so therefore you want to play your best players as often as you can," Langer added.

"We're really lucky, we've got great depth in the squad. We've got a ripping bunch of blokes in this squad and that's really pleasing."

Langer reserved special praise for Smith after his brilliant innings in the last game. 

"He (Smith) plays shots … you just shake your head," he said.

"You're sitting on the bench with the boys and they're just looking at me going 'how's he do that?'."

"It's got me buggered, I don't know. He's getting better and better and it's great for Australian cricket."

Smith, Langer believes, will soon top the batting charts in T20 cricket as well. "Hopefully he's ranked No.1 in all three forms. I'm sure he'll be aspiring to do that," the coach said.

"I'm hoping all of our players are aspiring to it as well. His greatest strength is his ability to solve problems and whether it's in Test cricket or T20 cricket that's what he's so good at."

"The best players in the world ... adapt to white or red ball, 20-over or Test cricket. It's not a fluke he's a great player."

(Inputs from cricket.com.au)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 06 Nov, 2019

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