As Australia gears up for the 2024 T20 World Cup, several of their star players faced significant travel disruptions en route to Barbados. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Glenn Maxwell, who had briefly returned to Australia after their IPL commitments, encountered various logistical challenges that delayed their arrival to the Caribbean.
Travel Woes for Australian Stars
Following their stint in the IPL, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Glenn Maxwell headed back to Australia before rejoining the national squad. Cummins and Starc played in the IPL final for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively, with Starc’s KKR clinching the title. Maxwell’s Royal Challengers Bangalore were eliminated in the playoffs.
After the IPL final in Chennai, Cummins returned home, only to face a two-day transit period between Sydney and the Caribbean. Adding to his travel woes, some of his luggage was lost during the journey. Fortunately, Cummins managed to recover his belongings later.
Starc and Maxwell also had their share of difficulties. Their journey to Barbados included overnight stops in Los Angeles and Miami, further delaying their arrival. These disruptions followed an earlier incident where Marcus Stoinis missed a warm-up match against the West Indies in Trinidad due to his cricket kit not arriving on time. Consequently, Australia had to field a reduced squad of nine players in the warm-up games.
Unusual Situations on the Field
The logistical issues led to some unusual on-field situations during Australia’s warm-up match against Namibia. Chief selector and former captain George Bailey, along with head coach Andrew McDonald, had to take the field to make up for the missing players. Fielding coach Andre Borovec and batting coach Brad Hodge also stepped in to fill the gaps.
Despite these setbacks, Australia remains focused on their goal of winning the 2024 T20 World Cup. They aim to complete a unique treble, having already secured the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship.
Upcoming Matches and Key Players
Australia will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Oman on Wednesday (Thursday IST). With star players like Cummins, Starc, and Maxwell now with the team, they hope to overcome their initial travel troubles and deliver strong performances on the field.
Travis Head and Cameron Green, who also participated in the IPL playoffs, were already in Barbados and have been preparing with the rest of the team. Head coach Andrew McDonald expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to adapt and perform despite the travel challenges.
As Australia prepares for their opener, the cricketing world will be watching to see how they navigate these early hurdles and if they can achieve their ambitious target of a historic treble in international cricket.
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