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          Australians in the T20 Blast: Josh Inglis and Marnus Labuschagne the shining lights

          Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis and Travis Head Getty Images
          • Andrew McGlashan, Deputy editor, ESPNcricinfoJul 19, 2021, 01:52 AM
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              Deputy Editor Andrew arrived at ESPNcricinfo via Manchester and Cape Town, after finding the assistant editor at a weak moment as he watched England's batting collapse in the Newlands Test. Andrew began his cricket writing as a freelance covering Lancashire during 2004 when they were relegated in the County Championship. In fact, they were top of the table when he began reporting on them but things went dramatically downhill. He likes to let people know that he is a supporter of county cricket, a fact his colleagues will testify to and bemoan in equal quantities.

          Josh Inglis (Leicestershire)

          Innings 14; Runs 531; Average 48.27; S/R 175.82
          A magnificent tournament for Inglis who finished as the leading run-scorer in the group stage and struck two centuries - 103 off 62 balls against Northamptonshire and 118 off 61 against Worcestershire. At a time when the Australia T20 side has continued to struggle it was another strong nudge towards the selectors who have already taken notice of him, although he played as an opener throughout this campaign which isn't where the vacancies really lie.

          Marnus Labuschagne (Glamorgan)

          Innings 8; Runs 390; Average 55.71; S/R 140.79 | Wickets 9; Average 21.44; Econ 8.77
          One of the main reasons Labuschagne was not taken to West Indies was so he could have a sustained period of T20 cricket. A forced spell of isolation after being a Covid close contact interrupted things, but either side of that he made full use of his opportunities although as a team Glamorgan had a pretty miserable tournament with just three wins in 14 matches. Labuschagne struck four half-centuries in his eight innings having had none in the format before the competition started and was also Glamorgan's second-highest wicket-taker.

          D'Arcy Short (Hampshire)

          Innings 11; Runs 307; Average 27.90; S/R 143.45 | Wickets 6; Average 38.00; Econ 8.76
          A slightly underwhelming group stage for Short who made a lot of starts without quite converting although he was part of a Hampshire side that squeezed into the quarter-finals when a whole range of scenarios played out in their favour. Short saved his best for last as well with his one half-century coming in the final match against Glamorgan with 69 off 30 balls as they surged to a target of 186 in 13 overs.

          Cameron Bancroft (Durham)

          Innings 13; Runs 283; Average 25.72; S/R 119.91
          Bancroft's form faded towards the end of the group stage, with a top score of 20 in his last five innings, after a productive period in the middle of the competition where he made two half-centuries in five innings, both against Birmingham Bears at healthy strike-rates. They contributed to two of the five victories Durham managed as they missed a quarter-final berth. The majority of Bancroft's innings were at No. 4.

          Travis Head (Sussex)

          Innings 8; Runs 108; Average 15.42; S/R 112.50
          It has not been the season Head would have hoped for with a lean T20 Blast following on from his County Championship struggles. He passed 20 in half of his innings but could not go beyond 27 and did not play the final two group matches although Sussex were able to secure a quarter-final slot.

          Ben Dwarshuis (Worcestershire)

          Matches 13; Wickets 15; Average 27.93; Econ 8.91
          A solid haul for Dwarshuis, the Sydney Sixers left-armer, as he finished as Worcestershire's second-highest wicket-taker. They probably came at a slightly higher cost than he would have liked but as is the case in the BBL he bowled a lot in tough periods - he sent down the third-most deliveries in the death overs (16-20) for the group stage behind Naveen-ul-Haq and Matty Potts. His overall numbers were also dented by the final two games where he went for 90 in seven overs.

          Chris Green (Middlesex)

          Innings 6; Runs 107; Average 35.66; S/R 140.78 | Wickets 10; Average 23.10; Econ 9.24
          Sydney Thunder allrounder Green was a late call-up after Mujeeb Ur Rahman's arrival at Middlesex was delayed. He had a memorable personal day against Kent where he claimed a career-best 5 for 32 which included a final-over hat-trick but it came in one of Middlesex's nine defeats. Made some handy contributions with the bat including an unbeaten 26 off 13 balls in a successful chase of 217 against Hampshire.

          Daniel Worrall (Gloucestershire)

          Matches 8; Wickets 3; Average 91.66; Econ 8.87
          Not much for Worrall to remember fondly from the tournament as he went wicketless in six consecutive innings and finished with an eye-watering average close to 100.

          Tim David (Surrey)

          Innings 2; Runs 45; Average 45.00; S/R 136.36
          A hurried late call-up for the Singaporean batter, who is a BBL regular and eligible for Australia, when Surrey were hit by an injury and illness crisis late in the competition. Only had two matches but gave another example of his finishing skills with 25 off 13 balls against Gloucestershire.