From the usual suspects to the newbies, here’s a look at the 19 Australia players in IPL 2020, and how they have fared so far.

Right from the first season, Australians have been an integral part of IPL teams. From their relatively easy availability during the IPL window to the depth of their white-ball resources, Australians have always given plenty of reasons for teams to give them a long run.

Some of these players have turned into bonafide legends of the competition over the years, while others are yet to find their feet in the premier T20 competition in the world.

At IPL 2020, a total of 19 players are from Australia. We look at how each of them have performed so far in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League.

David Warner – Sunrisers Hyderabad

The Australia opener isn’t exactly grabbing bowling attacks by the collar, not yet at least. But he’s still among the top five run-getters at IPL 2020. When Jofra Archer dismissed him for 48 on Sunday (and secured an Xbox), it was Warner’s sixth consecutive 25+ score, a streak that includes two fifties. A big one feels just around the corner.

Aaron Finch – Royal Challengers Bangalore

Aaron Finch, the Australia limited-overs captain, has largely been playing second fiddle to up-and-coming Indian Devdutt Padikkal so far at IPL 2020. Padikkal has been scoring runs aplenty, and with Virat Kohli hitting form too, Finch seems to have fallen under the radar. Still, he’s scored a half-century, and provided the team a couple of starts, alongside falling for single-digit scores.

Glenn Maxwell – Kings XI Punjab

The walls are closing in. The experts are ‘flabbergasted’, Maxwell is ‘shattered’, but nothing changes the fact that the ‘Big Show’ averages a lowly 14.50 this season. In fact, he’s not crossed 14 in seven innings. This season could very well end the yearly cycle of pre-IPL hype surrounding the Australian big-hitter.

 

Josh Philippe – Royal Challengers Bangalore

In hindsight, it’s clear that Philippe’s inclusion was to fix RCB’s batting troubles, rather than be their first-choice wicketkeeper. AB de Villiers has the gloves on, and the batting is more-or-less settled, meaning Philippe has been warming the benches after playing just two games.

Steve Smith – Rajasthan Royals

Smith’s topsy-turvy batting returns have reflected in the team’s oscillating fortunes so far. In a batting order that changes shape every game, Smith now has four single-digit scores in five innings, after blasting fifties in the first two games. Maybe it’s time for him to open the batting again.

Pat Cummins – Kolkata Knight Riders

His expensive early spells in IPL 2020 meant the price tag jokes were quickly off the shelves, but Cummins has since eased into a more containing role, with youngsters Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti leading the pace charge. Cummins has just two wickets from six games, with an economy rate of over eight, numbers that KKR will hope he can improve on as the season progresses.

Marcus Stoinis – Delhi Capitals

After four seasons of relative mediocrity, the Australia all-rounder is enjoying a breakthrough IPL season. He’s producing highly impressive cameos more often than not, and using his cutters deftly on UAE’s sluggish surfaces. Two fifties, six wickets and a strike-rate of over 175, all combine for a pretty reading.

James Pattinson – Mumbai Indians

Not many would have predicted Pattinson to start the season ahead of Nathan Coulter-Nile, let alone be a permanent fixture in the MI line-up. But here he is, nine wickets in seven games, using both the new and old ball to good effect, and bowling ahead of Jasprit Bumrah. One of MI’s silent workhorses.

Shane Watson – Chennai Super Kings

After a rusty start, Watson is looking like his fluent self again, scoring 83 and 50 in consecutive games. The rest of CSK’s batting has been floundering, though, leaving Watson with the additional pressure of keeping the top order together. The evergreen drives and swats continue being a treat for sore eyes.

Josh Hazlewood – Chennai Super Kings

Hazlewood has played just the one game so far, edged out by the all-round duo of Sam Curran and Dwayne Bravo. With Dhoni’s inclination towards stuffing his side with all-rounders, and Watson and Faf du Plessis regulars, Hazlewood’s chances of further participation look bleak.

Andrew Tye – Rajasthan Royals

After sitting on the bench for five games, Tye made a belated entry for a solitary match, taking one wicket before being edged out again. With Ben Stokes back in the side, it looks unlikely that Tye will get more than a few games here on, if any at all.

Adam Zampa – Royal Challengers Bangalore

Another victim of IPL’s four-overseas policy, Zampa was sidelined after featuring in two games after being expensive in both games. Given that RCB are back to winning ways, it seems unlikely that they’d tinker with the line-up to get Zampa back in. But you never know.

Alex Carey – Delhi Capitals

After spending almost half the tournament warming the benches, Carey received an unexpected call-up after Rishabh Pant was sidelined due to injury. Until Pant recovers, Carey might be assured of a place, and will be hoping to give the management a selection dilemma. However, if the runs don’t come, DC might be tempted to bring back Shimron Hetmyer, who occasionally keeps wickets.

Updated till Sunday, October 11

Nathan Coulter-Nile, Daniel Sams, Chris Lynn, Chris Green and Billy Stanlake are yet to get a game. Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of the tournament after suffering from an ankle injury in his first game of the season.

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Australia Global T20 Leagues