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Lesser lights shine in big guns’ absence

Australia's T20 attack is giving selectors plenty of food for though after three excellent displays in the ongoing trans-Tasman tri-series

Australia's second-string T20 attack know full well they could be out the door when the big guns return, but their efforts across the first three games of the Gillette T20I tri-series might well give selectors something to ponder.

With Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood all missing the T20s due to the tight turnaround with the upcoming South Africa Test tour, a host of the KFC Big Bash League's best bowlers have filled their sizeable shoes with aplomb. 

An attack formed around crafty death-bowling specialist Andrew Tye, towering new-ball threat Billy Stanlake, versatile paceman Kane Richardson and miserly spinner Ashton Agar has seen Australia restrict their opponents to 9-117, 9-155 and then 7-137 in the hosts’ third straight win on Saturday at the MCG.

Allrounders Marcus Stoinis, whose 0-18 off four overs against England on Saturday was a crucial and perhaps underappreciated effort in Australia's win, and Glenn Maxwell, who claimed 3-10 in Hobart on Wednesday, have also made important contributions, while D'Arcy Short's left-arm wrist spin has yet to be used.

Top moments from Australia's T20 triumph

Asked what the key to their success to has been, Richardson replied: "Probably the variety in the attack.  

"Billy started well again today and I didn't. I think that was theme in Hobart as well, his first over wasn't great and then we turned it around. 

"I think the variety's huge, I think everyone knows their role and what overs they're going to bowl. Everyone's executed what they wanted to.

"Most of the guys have come in straight on the Big Bash so we've rolled on with what we were doing there. Most of the blokes were picked on form."

Richardson is under no illusions over where he stands when Australia's leading fast bowlers return, but believes there's some healthy competition among the bowlers to move up in the eyes of the selectors heading towards the 2020 World T20.

"Whenever they're rested or injured you know there's an opportunity for the next group of players to put their hands up," Richardson said earlier this week in reference to Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins.

"A lot's been made of pecking orders in Test cricket and there's probably the same in white-ball cricket. If these series are happening when there's a Test series (coming up), there's going to be opportunities.

"It's all about showing your skills, showing that you can play a role."

Rashid hit for 20 in an over as Maxwell fires

Speaking on Saturday, he added: "If there wasn’t a Test tour to South Africa, you'd see those guys here. 

"When Starc and Cummins and those guys come back, we all know we probably won't be playing."

The trend in T20 cricket has been for captains to try to surprise their opponents with certain bowlers, typically with part-timers used for the first over of an innings or bowlers being taken off after one-over spells.

Australia's stand-in captain David Warner however has largely deployed his bowlers at predictable times and Richardson explained that has helped the attack familiarise themselves with their respective roles.

"I think it's been easier this year because you know Billy is going to take the new ball and you know AJ (Tye) is going to finish the innings," Richardson said of the adjustment to bowling alongside his new teammates compared to previous times he's pulled on an Australian limited-overs shirt.

"Being the other quick, there's always going to be a role in the middle or at the start. It has been a lot easier this year. 

"It's always a challenge in a new team to find out what your role is and go about executing and being comfortable. 

"When you look at our bowling attack, you know – even looking from afar – what everyone is going to be trying to do and what stage they're going to bowl at."

Aussies confident heading to NZ: Richardson

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who was axed after the first T20 of the series, and uncapped left-arm quick Ben Dwarshuis are also waiting in the wings.

With Australia already having booked their place in the tri-series final, the pair could be in the mix to play in their next match against the Black Caps at Auckland's Eden Park on Friday. 

The 14-player squad departs for New Zealand on Tuesday, with England facing off against the Black Caps in Wellington on the same day.

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

Australia squad: David Warner (c), Aaron Finch (vc), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, D'Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa.

England squad: Eoin Morgan (c), Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, David Willey, Mark Wood.

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Anaru Kitchen, Colin Munro, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Ben Wheeler. 

First T20I Australia won by seven wickets. Scorecard

Second T20I Australia won by five wickets. Scorecard

Third T20I Australia won by seven wickets. Scorecard

Fourth T20I NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final TBC, Eden Park, February 21