Coach Andrew McDonald Slams Claims T20 World Cup Was Overlooked
Australian cricket coach Andrew McDonald has vehemently rejected suggestions that the T20 World Cup does not matter to the national team, following their early exit in Sri Lanka. McDonald addressed the criticism on Thursday, emphasizing that the side was fully committed to the tournament despite their disappointing performance.
Australia's Devastating Exit and Coach's Response
McDonald admitted that Australia's worst showing at a men's World Cup in 17 years left the team devastated. However, he insisted that the players selected were good enough to qualify from their group. His comments came as Australia prepared for a dead-rubber match against Oman in Pallekele on Friday, with former greats like Glenn McGrath and Matt Hayden criticizing the team's preparations and lack of aura.
Denying Prioritization of Ashes Over T20 World Cup
While offering no excuses for the group-stage exit, McDonald was quick to deny that Australia's capitulation resulted from cricket bosses focusing solely on the lucrative home Ashes series. We've been fully locked into this for a period of time. This is one of our priorities, he stated, referring to the T20 World Cup co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India. He labeled the narrative that T20 World Cups are not a priority as entirely false, pointing to Australia's victory in 2021 and high expectations.
Addressing Injuries and Team Performance
Regarding the absence of Test stars Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood due to injuries, McDonald acknowledged challenges but maintained that the available players were capable. I truly believe that the players that were here are good enough, he said, urging focus on performances rather than missing personnel. He emphasized that the team must own their shortcomings in all facets of the game.
Looking Ahead to Final Match and Post-Mortem
McDonald highlighted the importance of ending the tournament with a win over Oman, despite the emotional aftermath. He noted that a full post-mortem would occur after the team returns to Australia on Saturday, but stressed the need to zero in on the final game as an opportunity to represent the country.
