Why James Faulkner Will Be Australia's Star Man at the 2016 ICC World T20

Despite Australia’s triumph in the 2015 World Cup, their performances in the Twenty20 format last year were dubious at best. In the seven matches they played, they won just twice. But T20 is largely a lottery. Even with the best players in your team, it doesn’t always mean that you’ll win.

The T20 format is all about margins, and it is marginal differences that make certain players more valuable than others. James Faulkner is one of those players.

In 2014, Faulkner's bowling average was 16.00 in five fixtures. That has jumped to 29.60 this year, but it is not his bowling that sets him apart on margins. Faulkner’s chasing and, more importantly, his ability to hold his nerve when finishing, is truly extraordinary in limited-overs cricket.

Recently, in the second T20 against South Africa, Faulkner stepped in with just four balls left and 11 runs to get. He didn't need to go for the big shots and take undue risk but helped to tick the scoreboard over so that Australia could reach their target. This might not seem extraordinary, but the ability to keep a cool head like that is vital.

In one-day cricket, Faulkner is a cut above the rest. In a piece recently written for ABC, Geoff Lemon pointed out the following:

"

In the 15 ODI run chases that he's batted in, James Faulkner averages 119.

Of Faulkner's 15 run chases, Australia has won 11.

In those 11 winning chases, Faulkner averages 287.

You can deduce from this that in 11 successful chases, he has been out once. He has remained at the crease for the win on the other 10 occasions.

On nine of those 10 occasions, Faulkner has hit the winning runs himself.

Four times, he has hit the winning runs in the last over. Two other times, in the second-last over.

"

Now, you might argue that one-day cricket and T20 cricket are two completely different beasts. That is true, but Faulkner hasn’t earned himself the nickname “The Finisher” for nothing.

In the second T20 in Johannesburg, Faulkner helped Australia complete their highest ever chase with the bat, but he also contributed significantly with the ball.

While Josh Hazlewood, John Hastings and Mitchell Marsh were all carted for more than 10 runs an over at a venue known for its high scores, Faulkner’s figures were three for 28. He used his off-cutter effectively and, when asked about it, was acutely aware of the importance of mixing things up in international cricket.

“There’s so much cricket being played all around the world...you come up against the players so often now so they know what’s coming. So I’m just trying a few different things,” Faulkner said.

“There’s going to be times when I look a bit silly and everyone at home and at the ground are thinking ‘what is he doing.' There might be days when it comes off.”

Faulkner seems to come off more often than he doesn’t, and having a player who is not afraid to take risks will make a big difference to Australia in the World T20.

All information obtained firsthand, unless otherwise stated.