An inexperienced Australian team has dismantled Pakistan in a commanding T20 whitewash, securing a third-consecutive victory in Hobart on Monday evening.

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Marcus Stoinis blasted an unbeaten half-century while fellow all-rounder Aaron Hardie claimed three wickets as the hosts claimed a resounding seven-wicket victory at Bellerive Oval.

Led by wicketkeeper Josh Inglis, Australia’s T20 dominance softened the blow of last week’s ODI series defeat, also providing an opportunity for the team’s fringe players to shine.

JOHNSON BACKED FOR TEST GLORY

Former Australian batter Mark Waugh has backed Spencer Johnson to succeed as a Test cricketer after the pace bowler’s breakout series against Pakistan.

The left-armed quick claimed eight wickets at 9.87 across the T20 campaign, earning player of the series honours following his five-wicket haul in Sydney, the best bowling figures by an Australian seamer in men’s T20Is.

Johnson has been a fringe member of Australia’s white-ball squads for over 12 months, but his SCG demolition ensured he’ll get more opportunities over the coming years.

And Waugh believes a baggy green could be on the horizon.

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“He was the difference between the two teams (in Sydney),” Waugh said on Fox Cricket.

“Just that extra pace and bounce, he’s very deceptive. He looks like he’s bowling within himself but he gets that extra pace and lift off the pitch and that natural angle away from the right-handers.

“He’s got a good short ball, a good yorker. He’s just getting better and better.

“I think he could play Test match cricket if he keeps fit. Outstanding young bowler.

“He’s an excellent back-up for the three big boys who aren’t playing in the squad at the moment.”

Johnson, who recently recovered from a side strain, has taken 21 first-class wickets at 26.00, numbers that don’t scream out for a Test debut. However, the 28-year-old would be considered the closest like-for-like replacement for Mitchell Starc should the Australian veteran injure himself this summer.

“Hopefully after this (T20) series I’ll go straight into a Shield game,” Johnson told reporters in Sydney on Saturday.

“I feel like the body’s getting there. It’s taken its time.”

‘FRUSTRATED’: WASTEFUL PRODIGY MISSES HIS CHANCE

Jake Fraser-McGurk threw his head back in disgust before begrudgingly trudging towards the dugout.

The 22-year-old had just carved a delivery from Pakistan seamer Jahandad Khan towards cover, dismissed for 18 (11) after a promising start with the bat at Bellerive Oval.

Fraser-McGurk’s struggles against Pakistan over the past fortnight have been well-documented, registering scores of 16, 13, 7, 9, 20 and 18 across the ODIs and T20s.

He didn’t survive beyond the fourth over in any of the six matches, a worrying trend that has damaged his chances of featuring in Australia’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan.

With Travis Head unavailable due to paternal leave, the six matches against Pakistan served as a chance for Fraser-McGurk to cement his place in Australia’s white-ball teams. Instead, national selectors will be questioning whether they should turn to a more experienced option at the top of the order.

“I really feel for him,” former Australian opener David Warner said on Fox Cricket commentary following his Hobart dismissal.

“You can see he’s clearly frustrated there. It’s not a nice place to be.

“He’s just one knock away.”

However, Waugh felt confident that Fraser-McGurk could turn things around in the coming months — he just needs a little bit of luck.

“He looked frustrated when he got out because he actually was playing really well,” Waugh said after his SCG knock.

“He was seeing the ball well. He’s just going through one of those periods where he makes one mistake and he’s out. It happens to batsmen sometimes.

“I do think he’s starting to see the ball better, he knows his game a bit better. He just needs some luck.

“If he gets a bit of luck and he can get through that initial four overs, look out, he could make a big score.”

ZAMPA STEALS THE KING OF SPIN’S CROWN

It’s official — Adam Zampa is Australia’s most successful white-ball spinner.

The leggie went past Shane Warne’s career tally of 293 wickets on Monday evening — and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Zampa has been the most important member of Australia’s white-ball teams for several years, helping his country win a T20 World Cup title in 2021 and a World Cup trophy in 2023.

The 32-year-old was again at the peak of his powers against Pakistan this week, contributing six wickets while conceding less than five runs per over.

He’s relentlessly consistent, targeting the stumps throughout probing spells while rarely offering freebies or half-trackers. The New South Welshman has a wonderful knack of taking wickets when they’re desperately needed.

Warne remains Australia’s greatest spinner, there’s no denying that — but when Zampa’s career draws to a close, it would be fascinating to compare their numbers in the white-ball formats.

“(Zampa) forces you as a batsman to come after him, because you can’t really rotate the strike,” Warner said on Fox Cricket commentary.

“He’s always so accurate.

“People think they have to go after Adam Zampa, but you just can’t. He doesn’t give you anything. He’s relentless.

“That line and length, the accuracy. He forces you into playing big shots.

“He’s so skilful.”

AUSSIES SPOILT FOR CHOICE IN PACE DEPARTMENT

Has the calibre of pace bowlers in Australia ever been stronger?

Although national stalwarts Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were unavailable for this week’s T20 series against, Australia could still fall back on an assortment of talented pace bowlers in their absence.

Xavier Bartlett continued the golden start to his international career, taking five wickets across the three matches, while Johnson proved he was the real deal with a five-wicket haul in Sydney.

Meanwhile, Nathan Ellis remains one of Australia’s most consistent T20I bowlers, boasting a career average of 16.80.

The trio form a perfectly-balanced T20 pace attack — Bartlett swings the ball early, Johnson provides pace and bounce, while Ellis is a proven finisher who can bowl at the death.

All three missed the recent white-ball tour of the United Kingdom due to injury, opening the door for Ben Dwarshuis and Cooper Connolly to make their ODI debuts.

Elsewhere, West Australian quicks Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson are waiting in the wings for more opportunities in the national side, while Victorian rising star Fergus O’Neill can’t be far from earning a maiden call-up.

However, as Johnson pointed out at the SCG on Saturday, none of them have done enough to usurp the almighty ‘big three’.

“They’re unbelievably durable, and they’ve done it for so long. They’re definitely the benchmark,” Johnson said of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood.

“The play, travel, play, it’s not as easy as what it looks.

“It’s a credit to them and for how they have done it for ten-plus years. It’s amazing.

“They’re going to be here for a long time. They’re not going anywhere.”

Regardless, it’s reassuring to know that should injury intervene this summer, the national selectors have a plethora of worthy candidates at their disposal.