Ellis, Abbott show Australia's depth as Marsh makes dream start

Australia had gone into the last men's T20 World Cup on home soil as one of the favourites having been, perhaps, somewhat surprise winners of the previous event in 2021. But they fluffed their lines, soundly beaten in the first game by New Zealand and never really got going.

The final match of that tournament, against Afghanistan in Adelaide, was their last in the format until this tour of South Africa with 2023 having been dominated by their Test endeavours in India and England.

Even now the focus is on the build-up to the ODI World Cup next month. Partly due to that, with all-format names rested, as well as injuries and a retirement, this Australia T20 side in Durban has a very different look to that T20 World Cup squad: only three players faced Afghanistan and South Africa.

It remains to be seen how closely Friday's XI resembles the opening game of next year's T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA. But while two games are too few to draw big conclusions against a South Africa side that has been off the pace early in the season, in terms of exploring the depth on offer the signs have been very encouraging. Not least for new captain Mitchell Marsh who has plundered 171 runs from 88 balls without being dismissed.

In the opening match it was Tanveer Sangha's last-minute debut, where he claimed 4 for 31 and Tim David's blistering half-century that made a big impression alongside Marsh's barnstorming unbeaten 92. In the second game, it was another group of emerging, or fringe players, who put in starring roles alongside their captain.

Nathan Ellis (seventh T20I), Sean Abbott (11th T20I), Jason Behrendorff (10th T20I, and first since mid-2021) and Matt Short (second T20I) all produced pivotal displays.

It was set up on the field when Australia pulled back Temba Bavuma's rapid start by claiming four wickets in the powerplay. Abbott, seemingly forever a cricketer fighting for the opportunities his talent deserves, removed Bavuma and a swinging full toss from Behrendorff trapped Rassie van der Dussen.

Then over to Ellis who pinned Reeza Hendricks lbw and found the edge of Dewald Brevis' blade first ball in a double-wicket maiden. He would strike again in the closing overs as he continued an outstanding start to his T20I career: after seven matches he has 18 wickets at 9.11 with an economy rate of 6.30.

The combined figures of Ellis and Abbott were 8-1-47-6. There is every chance that only one of them makes the ODI World Cup squad which will be named next week.

"It's awesome bowling alongside Nathan," Abbott said. "I've got a lot of respect for him. Where he's been really successful in the Big Bash for Hobart [Hurricanes], it's not an easy place to bowl and defend [at Bellerive Oval], it's quite a nice batting wicket, so think it's no surprise he's come into the international side and performed the way that he has. Think his numbers speak for themselves.

"Whenever he's got something to say with the captain, I always make sure I'm listening and more often than not he goes and executes really well. Typically, we see that when we've got to be defensive at the backend with the death bowling, but he showed that tonight in his first over, presenting the seam and hitting the top of the stumps."

The consensus at midway was that South Africa's 164 was competitive - "The pitch tonight suited the bowlers," Abbott said - but it was soon put into a different light by Australia's top order.

Short put on a full display of the power that made him last season's BBL player of the tournament including a couple of huge strikes over the leg side.

"We've seen that for a little while now from Matt Short and I'm not surprised he's doing it at international level," Abbott said. "There doesn't seem to be too many weaknesses in his game at the moment and I'm really chuffed for him; second game, scoring fifty striking at 200, he's a very talented player."

Short is not in contention for the ODI World Cup, but Abbott, Ellis and Sangha are part of the preliminary 18-player squad, Spencer Johnson is a replacement for Mitchell Starc in South Africa and David's addition for the ODIs next week is an intriguing development. Injuries and workload have forced the hand of the selectors to look at new faces - the initial results have been highly encouraging, and it means some fascinating decisions loom.