Australia Cricket’s Best Bunch Of T20 Batsmen

Despite not winning the ICC World T20 to date, Australia have always produced amazing T20 batsmen. Be it, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden or even Chris Lynn in the modern-day game.

They have performed admirably in T20 tournaments all over the world, including the Indian Premier League, the Big Bash League, the Pakistan Super League and many others.

But, who are Australia Cricket’s top 6 best T20 Batsmen of all-time?

6. Brad Hodge

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 22: Brad Hodge of the Renegades bats during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Adelaide Strikers at Etihad Stadium on January 22, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Brad Hodge has played 277 T20s and scored nearly 7500 runs in the format. He has a superb batting average of 37 and a strike rate of 131. One of Australian Cricket’s forgotten players in all three formats, Hodge was unlucky not to represent the National Team for much longer than he did.

Despite this, Hodge has represented many franchises across the world in T20 Cricket. The Rajasthan Royals, the Adelaide Strikers and the Melbourne Renegades are two of his most famed franchises.

Brad Hodge sits number five on the list of Australia Cricket’s top 5 best T20 batsmen of all-time.

5. Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell is a very destructive T20 batsmen — ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 22: Glenn Maxwell of the Stars hits out during the Big Bash League match between the Adelaide Strikers and the Melbourne Stars at Adelaide Oval on January 22, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Glenn Maxwell has often left much to be desired with the bat in T20 Cricket. He has as much talent perhaps, as anyone on this list. However, his overall T20 stats read a batting average of just 28 at a strike rate of 154. These are definitely solid numbers but he could easily average 35, as he does in International T20 Cricket.

For Australia, Maxwell has been good. He averages 35 as mentioned before, at a strike rate of 160 and has three centuries to his name. This includes a superb century vs India at Bangalore in 2019 to help Australia to a T20 series victory.

Watch – Glenn Maxwell Scoops A Six

In the IPL, Maxwell has blown hot and cold. His 2014 campaign for the Kings XI Punjab was special and he helped them reach the final, where they narrowly lost to KKR. However, he has not enjoyed many great seasons since. His 2017 campaign being the only respectable one. In the Big Bash League, his batting has helped the Melbourne Stars reach the final on multiple occasions, but fail to win the tournament.

Glenn Maxwell sits number four on the list of Australia Cricket’s top 5 best T20 batsmen of all-time.

4. Aaron Finch

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Aaron Finch of the Renegades hits the ball during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Brisbane Heat at Marvel Stadium on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Aaron Finch is a highly destructive T20 batsman. In 284 T20s, he has scored nearly 9000 T20 runs at a superb batting average of 36. His strike rate of 144 is also very impressive. In International T20’s, Finch has been even more impressive then in domestic competitions.

For Australia, Finch averages 38 at a strike rate of 156. His 156 vs England in 2013 remains one of the best innings ever played in this format. Unbelievably, this is not his highest score anymore. Finch scored 172 against Zimbabwe in 2018.

Watch – Finch 156 Of 63 Balls

In the IPL, Aaron Finch has not been able to find the same form and his franchises have often been disappointed by his returns. He will be hoping to put things right at the 2020 IPL for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Aaron Finch sits number three on the list of Australia Cricket’s top 5 best T20 batsmen of all-time.

3. Michael Hussey

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 16: Mike Hussey of the Thunder gestures towards the crowd after being dismissed during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Sydney Thunder at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 16, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Michael Hussey has had a very successful T20 career as a batsman. In 161 T20s, Mike Hussey has scored over 4500 runs at a batting average of 37 and at a strike rate of 125. Perhaps he is most remembered in international cricket for his destruction of Saeed Ajmal, at the 2010 World T20. Hussey scored 60 in just 24 balls to take Australia to the final from virtually out of sight.

In T20 Cricket domestically, Hussey was just as successful. He was one of the main reasons why CSK were such a dominant force in the IPL. In the Big Bash League he also inspired his franchise to the title.

Michael Hussey sits number three on the list of Australia Cricket’s top 5 best T20 batsmen of all-time.

2. Shane Watson

Watson bats for CSK against DC in the 2019 IPL Qualifier 2 — VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA – MAY 10: Shane Watson of the Chennai Super Kings bats during the Indian Premier League IPL Qualifier Final match between the Delhi Capitals and the Chennai Super Kings at ACA-VDCA Stadium on May 10, 2019 in Visakhapatnam, India. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Shane Watson is perhaps one of the most destructive batsman in the history of T20 Cricket. His all-round skills overshadow the genius that he is with the bat in hand. In 332 T20’s, Watson has scored over 8500 runs at a batting average of 29 and at a strike rate of 139.

Shane Watson was Australia’s lone warrior at the 2012 World T20. He was the highest run-scorer at the tournament and also the second highest wicket-taker. However, he could not inspire Australia to the trophy.

Also, Read – Shane Watson – Australia’s Limited-Overs Superstar

In franchise cricket, Watson has been equally impressive, winning the man of the tournament award twice in the Indian Premier League. In 2008 and 2013, he won the award, representing the Rajasthan Royals on both occasions. RR won the 2008 IPL, to clinch their maiden title.

Watch – “Glad To Repay The Faith Shown By Dhoni And Fleming” Says Shane Watson.

Shane Watson moved to the Chennai Super Kings in 2018 and inspired the franchise to their third IPL title, by scoring over 550 runs. This included a belligerent century in the final against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Shane Watson sits number two on the list of Australia Cricket’s top 5 best T20 batsmen of all-time.

1. David Warner

David Warner is perhaps the best from Australia out of all the T20 batsmen — Australia’s David Warner celebrates his 50 during the third and final T20 international cricket match between South Africa and Australia at Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town, on February 26, 2020. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)

David Warner is undoubtedly Australia’s best T20 batsmen of all-time.

His records in the format are virtually unmatched among players from his country and in fact most countries. In 280 T20s, Warner averages a very healthy 38. His strike rate of 142 is also strong, considering the fact that he is ultra consistent in the format. Warner has scored over 9000 runs in T20 Cricket.

Watch – David Warner Blazes Ton To Open Australia Cricket’s Summer

He has been instrumental to the success of his various franchises and most notably the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. He scored a staggering 848 runs in the 2016 season at a batting average of 61 and strike rate of 151 to almost single-handedly haul SRH to their maiden IPL title.

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His T20 record for Australia is not nearly as strong, averaging 32, at a strike rate of 140. However, Warner will be looking to amend this at the upcoming World T20 in 2021 at home. He will be hoping to haul Australia to their maiden World T20 title.

David Warner sits number one on the list of Australia Cricket’s top 5 best T20 batsmen of all-time.

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