Aussies can fight back, says Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes has tipped Australia’s T20 squad to fight back at the Wanderers when they take on the Proteas in the second T20.

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Johannesburg - Former Proteas star Jonty Rhodes has tipped Australia’s T20 squad to fight back at the Wanderers on Sunday when they take on the Proteas in the second T20 of the current three-match series.

Defeat to South Africa in the opening T20 international on Durban on Friday night was Australia’s fifth consecutive loss in the format, stretching back to November 2014.

“Certainly they are still creating moments in matches,” Rhodes told Crocmedia. “They made a lot of runs against India and even on Friday they had South Africa 95-6 but just couldn’t keep the pressure on for long enough.”

Rhodes said he believed the Australians have struggled to get the bowling balance right on the back of several key injuries.

“They’ve been quite unlucky with Mitchell Starc going out of that side at such an important time,” Rhodes said. He also lamented the absence of Pat Cummins and James Pattinson.

James Faulkner is expected to feature in the next two matches, along with allrounder Shane Watson and pace bowler Josh Hazlewood who were all rested from the opening match of the three-game series. Another one who is likely to feature in the next two matches is uncapped spinner Ashton Agar, although Rhodes said Australia had erred by overlooking Test tweaker Nathan Lyon.

“Without being too critical (Australia) probably lack a stand-out spinner for this format,” Rhodes said. “They may struggle on the subcontinent as a result of that and I’m very surprised Nathan Lyon isn’t strongly in the mix. ”

“(Adam) Zampa and (Glenn) Maxwell are a solid combination but I’m not sure they will ask enough questions of the top Indian batsman for example.”

African News Agency