Bailey says Aussies in form for T20s

Australia Twenty20 captain George Bailey says his side will carry winning momentum into their series against Pakistan in Dubai following Australia’s 2-1 victory in their one-day international clashes.

But the skipper is unsure how far that momentum will carry his side in the three-game T20 series, which starts on Wednesday night (Thursday 0200 AEST) in Dubai.

The series is an excellent warm-up for the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka starting on September 18.

Bailey said there was a great feeling in the Aussie change rooms after their three-wicket win in game three of the ODI series on Tuesday morning and it was heartening to see key members of the T20 squad show some form.

“It was nice to see Davey Warner start to hit a few boundaries, David Hussey scored some runs (43 as opener in game three), Glenn Maxwell (56 not out) performing as well as he did under pressure,” Bailey told a press conference on Tuesday.

“Mitchell Starc is performing well (player of the series with nine wickets).

“As well as the team performing really well and getting the victory, for those guys to perform well for us is also a real confidence-booster.

“It was particularly nice to bounce back after the loss in game two and show some real fighting spirit last night. Our T20 team will take a lot out of that.

“I’m not sure if it flows on to the Twenty20s. If we win you could probably look back and say momentum played some part.”

Bailey is keen to get some game time into new arrivals Ben Hilfenhaus, Clint McKay and fellow pace bowler Pat Cummins, as well as Watson, middle-order batsman Cameron White and Brad Hogg.

Hogg’s fellow frontline spinner Xavier Doherty, who was left out of the side for the ODI series, is also a likely selection.

Bailey said slow bowling would be an important factor in the World Cup and playing against Pakistan’s spin-dominated attack would be good preparation for his side.

“As difficult as it is, perhaps T20 might be able to free us up a little. We’ll have to be a little more aggressive,” Bailey said.

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