Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy has criticised the team’s selection decisions after their eight-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka national cricket team in a crucial T20 World Cup clash on February 16 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Australia needed a win to keep control of their Super Eight qualification hopes but opted to make three changes. Regular skipper Mitchell Marsh, all-rounder Cooper Connolly, and pacer Xavier Bartlett were brought in for Matt Renshaw, Ben Dwarshuis, and Matthew Kuhnemann.

Healy questioned the logic behind the reshuffle, particularly Connolly’s inclusion, pointing to his poor recent returns with the bat. Speaking on SEN Cricket, Healy said the move to lengthen the batting order backfired.

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“We dropped two bowlers and our best batter in what was probably our final match for an all-rounder and another bowler. Cooper Connolly — how much does he really lengthen the batting? He hasn’t made double figures in six innings. If Glenn Maxwell is being phased out and Connolly is being groomed as a replacement, fine. But playing him as a frontline bowler isn’t good enough,” Healy remarked.

Australia’s batting once again struggled to adapt to Sri Lankan conditions. Healy argued that frequent changes in the lineup only worsened the instability.

“It left us with too many finishers and no proper starters. They simply can’t get going in Sri Lanka. Cameron Green at three, Tim David at four, Josh Inglis shuffled between opener, five and seven — he’s being moved around despite good form. It’s an unbalanced side. Meanwhile, Sean Abbott, Steve Smith and Matt Renshaw are waiting for the Oman game,” he added.

Healy believes the deeper issue dates back to a shift in selection philosophy.

“The selection misguidance began a year ago when they prioritised power-hitting over proper batsmanship. Marcus Stoinis, Maxwell and Connolly aren’t a genuine bowling attack, they’re part-timers at best. Especially when Abbott is sitting on the bench,” he said.

Australia’s Super Eight hopes now hang by a thread. They must defeat Oman in their final group match and hope Zimbabwe lose both their remaining fixtures against Ireland and Sri Lanka to stay in contention.