Candidates for places in Australia's squad for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup may end up ruing missed opportunities, after failing to fire in Australia's five-match series against the West Indies.
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With Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, David Warner, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Jhye Richardson and Kane Richardson all missing the tour for different reasons, several others had opportunities in St Lucia.
However, none of them really enhanced their prospects, with the batsmen in particular failing to impress in the 4-1 series loss.
Ashton Turner averaged 15, Alex Carey seven and Josh Philippe and Ben McDermott four each.
All of them had at least two innings but none hit more than 24 in a knock.
All of them have T20I career batting averages between 11 and 14.
"There's some guys in there with not a huge amount of International experience, so when you are trying to stamp your authority on a game while you are till finding your feet in international cricket, it can be tough at times," captain Aaron Finch said.
"I'm not too critical of them to be honest.
"There's a bit more experience in the top of the order and we probably didn't give them the best platform enough."
Australia lost at least one wicket in the first five overs of every game and veterans Finch and Matthew Wade, who averaged 25 and 17 respectively, opened for the first four matches, but their biggest stand was 41.
Some bowlers also missed a chance to shine.
Paceman Riley Meredith was very expensive, ending the series with an economy rate of 13.40 from the 7.5 overs bowled across two matches.
Leg spinner Mitchell Swepson gave up 41 runs from three overs in his sole appearance and Jason Behrendorff leaked 46 from three overs in his second game of the series.
The outstanding Mitch Marsh topped Australia's batting and bowling averages and aggregates with 219 runs at 43.80 and eight wickets at 11 and a team-best economy rate of 6.76.
West Indies leg spinner Hayden Walsh Jr was named player of the series after taking 12 wickets.
Paceman AJ Tye, who took 3-37 in his one appearance in the final game, was adamant the domestic Big Bash League adequately prepared players for the step up to the international stage.
"You look at the performances we've had out of Big Bash, players have deserved their (international) spots," Tye said.
"Some of the young guys need a bit of time to get used to international cricket and find their feet and get the confidence they have in the Big Bash."
The two teams play a three-game one-day international series in Barbados starting on Wednesday (AEST).
Finch twisted a knee fielding in the final T20 game and will be monitored ahead of the ODI opener.
Australian Associated Press
