McKay's mixed bag key for World T20: White

10 Sep 2012, 4:53 pm   -   Source: AAP
Australia have named Glenn Maxwell in a 12-man squad for Monday's Twenty20 clash with Pakistan. (AAP)

Australia have named Glenn Maxwell in a 12-man squad for Monday's Twenty20 clash with Pakistan. (AAP)

Pace bowler Clint McKay's bag of tricks will be vital for Australia in their World Twenty20 campaign, according to teammate Cameron White.

Crafty medium-pacer Clint McKay has returned to fitness in a big boost for George Bailey's Australian squad ahead of the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.

The big Victorian has missed the last two months due to a hamstring injury but has been bowling at full pace in training ahead of Australia's opening match of the tournament against Ireland in Colombo on September 19.

The 29-year-old looms as a vital component in Australia's title hopes, with his skilful changes of pace helping him become Australia's leading wicket-taker in one-day internationals in 2012.

He's bagged 27 one-day victims at 23.88 in 17 games this year despite missing the four matches in August and September against Afghanistan and Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

McKay has been sorely missed during the current three-match T20 series against Pakistan, which they have already lost before the final game (due to start at 0200 Tuesday AEST).

His record in T20 internationals this year is more modest than his one-day statistics, having snared just two wickets at 35.00 in three games.

His state captain, Cameron White, who played in Australia's 2010 World T20 campaign which finished in defeat in the final, says McKay will be a vital piece of the puzzle in Sri Lanka.

"Maybe what brought about our downfall eventually in the last World Cup was having the same. We went out all guns blazing," White said.

Pace trio Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Dirk Nannes claimed 33 wickets between them in the 2010 tournament.

But England made 3-148 to win the Barbados final with three overs to spare.

"Once England were able to get through the initial onslaught with what we'd been cracking teams with, they were able to (control the game)," said White, who made 30 in the final while David Hussey top-scored for Australia with 59.

"We've got a bit of that with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc but also we've got some swing from 'Hilf' (Ben Hilfenhaus) and lots of variations from C-Mac (Clint McKay), Shane Watson.

"So in terms of bowling options, outside of pure pace and being able to really knock teams over, we've got some defensive skills as well which is really important in Twenty20 cricket.

"There's not just out-and-out speed, there's some tricks there as well.

"We've got all sorts of spinners, lots of options."

Current squad members David Hussey, Mike Hussey, White and openers Watson and David Warner all played in the 2010 final.

"From a batting point of view it could shape up pretty similar," White said.

"The main change is we're going to have a bit of a different pace attack with more variations if anything and a few more defensive skills which I think is pretty important, and a couple more bowling options."

Allrounders Dan Christian and Glenn Maxwell are both expected to push strongly for the No.8 batting role while frontline spinners Brad Hogg and Xavier Doherty are possibly vying for the No.9 spot.

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