James Peter Faulkner is a former Australian international cricket all-rounder born on 29 April 1990 in Launceston, Tasmania. A right-handed batter and left-arm fast-medium bowler, he became known for his ability to take important wickets and score quickly under pressure. Faulkner’s defining achievement came in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup final, when he took three wickets against New Zealand and won the Player of the Match award as Australia claimed its fifth men’s ODI World Cup title. His career also included a remarkable rise with Tasmania, a productive Indian Premier League spell with Rajasthan Royals, and appearances in domestic and overseas T20 competitions. His story is particularly notable for the contrast between his peak international success and the injuries and selection challenges that later limited his Australian career.
Cricket Australia
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James Faulkner Career Stats
| Format | Career | Matches | Innings | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 50s | 100s | Wickets | BBI | Bowl Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TESTRecorded matches only | 2013–2013 | 1 | 2 | 45 | 23 | 22.50 | 0 | 0 | 6 | — | 16.33 |
| ODIReconciled source snapshot | 2013–2017 | 69 | 52 | 1,032 | 116 | 34.40 | 4 | 1 | 96 | 4/32 | 30.85 |
| T20IReconciled source snapshot | 2012–2017 | 24 | 18 | 159 | 41* | 14.45 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 5/27 | 19.00 |
| First-ClassRecorded matches only | 2015–2017 | 7 | 9 | 290 | 121 | 32.22 | 2 | 1 | 23 | — | 19.52 |
| List ARecorded matches only | 2015–2015 | 7 | 6 | 94 | 35 | 18.80 | 0 | 0 | 8 | — | 30.13 |
| T20Recorded matches only | 2011–2022 | 177 | 129 | 1,686 | 73 | 22.78 | 1 | 0 | 216 | — | 22.02 |
This compact table is rendered directly from the shared per-format source selection; recorded-only rows are explicitly labelled. Detailed opponent, venue, year and dismissal analysis remains on the full stats page.
James Faulkner
/cricket-player/james-faulkner/Each format uses one source consistently. Recorded-only figures are labelled separately.
Recorded matches only
Reconciled source snapshot
Reconciled source snapshot
Recorded matches only
Recorded matches only
Recorded matches only
James Faulkner Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | James Peter Faulkner |
| Known as | James Faulkner |
| Date of birth | 29 April 1990 |
| Age | 36 as of 22 October 2026 |
| Birthplace | Launceston, Tasmania, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Height | 186 cm |
| Playing role | Bowling all-rounder |
| Batting style | Right-handed |
| Bowling style | Left-arm medium-fast |
| Father | Peter Faulkner, former Tasmanian cricketer |
| International team | Australia |
| Test debut | 21 August 2013, against England |
| ODI debut | 1 February 2013, against West Indies |
| T20I debut | 2 January 2012, against India, according to Cricket Australia’s profile |
| Major achievement | Player of the Match in the 2015 Cricket World Cup final |
| Notable IPL teams | Rajasthan Royals, Gujarat Lions |
| Domestic association | Tasmania |
| International career period | 2012–2017 |
The profile details and debut dates are drawn from Cricket Australia’s player profile and the ICC’s World Cup records. Faulkner’s precise current playing status should be distinguished from his former international status.
Cricket Australia
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Early Life, Childhood and Family Background
James Faulkner grew up in Launceston, a city in Tasmania with a strong cricketing tradition. He developed his game in local cricket before progressing into Tasmania’s senior system. Unlike players whose development takes place far from professional cricket, Faulkner grew up around the sport: his father, Peter Faulkner, was a first-class cricketer for Tasmania and later became an influential figure in the state’s cricket administration.
The Cricketer
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How James Faulkner Started Playing Cricket
Faulkner’s development was shaped by competitive cricket from an early age. In an interview reported during his early career, he recalled playing first-grade cricket against adult players at around 14. Those matches exposed him to a more demanding environment than age-group cricket alone could provide.
His early sporting interests also included Australian rules football. Cricket ultimately became his professional path, helped by his ability to compete in senior cricket while still young.
Sports News Australia
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James Faulkner’s Father, Peter Faulkner
Peter Faulkner is the most clearly documented cricketing influence in James’s family. He played first-class cricket for Tasmania and later served as a state selector. Cricket Australia’s reporting described the intense backyard practice sessions the father and son shared, while also recording James’s view that his father did not force him into the game.
Cricket Australia
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Their relationship included a clear separation between family and cricket administration. James reportedly told his father to step aside from his selection role when James was 16. Nevertheless, when James received the news of his Test selection, Peter was one of the first people he contacted.
This background helps explain Faulkner’s familiarity with the demands of state cricket and the competitive standards expected of aspiring professionals.
Verified family details
- Father: Peter Faulkner, former Tasmania cricketer and selector.
- Mother: Her name and occupation are not established here through sufficiently strong sources.
- Siblings: No sibling details are included without reliable corroboration.
- Spouse or partner: No relationship details are asserted without dependable evidence.
Education, School Cricket and Coaching Development
Faulkner attended Launceston Church Grammar School. His school years coincided with his progression into higher-level cricket, and his move from Launceston to Hobart marked an important practical step in his development.
According to a profile published by The Cricketer, he moved to Hobart to live with a family after finishing school, enabling him to pursue his professional opportunity with Tasmania. The same report describes his father as having played 81 state appearances before later becoming a selector.
The Cricketer
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The available biographical evidence supports the following progression:
| Stage | Verified detail |
|---|---|
| School | Launceston Church Grammar School |
| Early competitive cricket | First-grade cricket at approximately 14 |
| State pathway | Tasmania’s junior and senior cricket structures |
| Professional transition | Move to Hobart after school |
| Family influence | Peter Faulkner’s playing and selection background |
A detailed list of private coaches, academy instructors, educational qualifications or a university degree cannot be reliably established from the sources cited here.
James Faulkner’s Domestic Cricket Career and Tasmania Breakthrough
Faulkner’s domestic career was the foundation of his international rise. Tasmania provided the environment in which he developed as a genuine bowling all-rounder rather than a specialist fast bowler who could occasionally bat.
He made his professional debut for Tasmania in December 2008, according to retrospective reporting. His early performances showed why the state invested in him: he could contribute with the ball over a long domestic season and produce valuable innings when the batting order was under pressure.
The Cricketer
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The Sheffield Shield Final That Strengthened His Test Credentials
One of Faulkner’s most important domestic performances came in the 2012–13 Sheffield Shield season. In the lead-up to the final, he took 5 for 56 against Victoria, helping Tasmania secure a place in the title match.
In the final against Queensland, he contributed 46 in the first innings and took four wickets across the match. His second-innings partnership-building was even more important: he scored 89 in an innings that helped Tasmania recover from 5 for 15. Tim Paine also made 87, and Tasmania secured the draw needed to win the Sheffield Shield.
Cricket Australia
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Domestic breakthrough snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Sheffield Shield |
| Season | 2012–13 |
| Opponent in key preliminary match | Victoria |
| Bowling performance | 5/56 |
| Final opponent | Queensland |
| First-innings contribution in final | 46 runs |
| Second-innings contribution | 89 runs |
| Teammate in recovery innings | Tim Paine |
| Outcome | Tasmania secured the title through the final’s result |
The final demonstrated both sides of Faulkner’s game. He could take wickets to influence qualification and then bat for a substantial period when the team’s position became precarious. His strong Shield seasons helped him earn higher honours, including selection for Australia’s 2013 Ashes squad.
Cricket Australia
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Tasmania Career and Domestic Recognition
Faulkner was recognised with the state’s Ricky Ponting Medal during his rise. His domestic success was not simply a precursor to international cricket: it established a sustained reputation as a player who could influence matches in more than one discipline.
He also played domestic limited-overs cricket and the Big Bash League, representing teams including the Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes. Cricket Australia’s profile records 70 BBL matches, 620 runs and 80 wickets, with best bowling figures of 4 for 46.
Cricket Australia
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James Faulkner’s International Career for Australia
Faulkner represented Australia in Test, One Day International and Twenty20 International cricket. His international career began in 2012 and ended in 2017, with his strongest period coming in limited-overs cricket.
His role was particularly valuable in ODIs: he could bowl left-arm pace with changes of speed and length, then bat aggressively in the lower order. Those skills made him a useful option in matches where Australia needed late wickets or a rapid finish.
T20 International Debut and Early Progress
Faulkner made his T20I debut against India in January 2012, according to Cricket Australia’s profile. T20 cricket suited his combination of bowling variations and hard-hitting batting. His international opportunities expanded during the following year, when he became a regular subject of attention for his performances in the IPL and Australian limited-overs side.
Cricket Australia
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For readers interested in his format-specific numbers, the player statistics system can provide a deeper record:
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ODI Debut and Breakthrough Performances
Faulkner made his ODI debut against the West Indies on 1 February 2013. His first major international breakthrough came later that year against India, when he scored 64 from just 29 balls in Mohali to help Australia secure an unlikely victory. He then scored his maiden international century, 116 from 73 balls, against India in Bangalore two weeks later, although Australia lost that match.
Cricket Australia
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These innings helped define his international batting identity. Faulkner was not primarily selected to anchor an innings for 50 overs; he offered Australia a lower-order player capable of changing the match’s momentum quickly.
His ODI career also included a memorable finish against England at Brisbane’s Gabba, where he struck three consecutive boundaries from Tim Bresnan to secure victory with three balls remaining.
Cricket Australia
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See James Faulkner's complete ODI stats
Test Debut Against England in the 2013 Ashes
Faulkner made his Test debut against England on 21 August 2013. Cricket Australia’s profile highlights that he took six wickets on debut, a striking start to his red-ball international career.
Cricket Australia
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His Test opportunity came after several seasons of strong bowling in the Sheffield Shield and his match-changing performance in Tasmania’s title-winning campaign. However, his international career ultimately developed more significantly in limited-overs cricket than in Tests.
Explore James Faulkner's complete Test stats
James Faulkner’s IPL Career: Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Lions
The Indian Premier League was one of the most visible parts of Faulkner’s franchise career. He made his IPL debut in 2011 and played for Pune Warriors India, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Lions. His best IPL period came with Rajasthan Royals, particularly in 2013 and 2014.
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Early IPL Seasons and the Rajasthan Royals Breakthrough
Faulkner’s early IPL appearances were limited, but Rajasthan Royals gave him a more prominent role. In the 2013 season, he took 28 wickets, making him one of the tournament’s leading wicket-takers and establishing him as an effective option in the middle and death overs. Retrospective coverage notes that his 28 wickets remain among the strongest single-season totals in IPL history, tied for fourth in the cited report.
Cricket Australia
His effectiveness came from more than raw pace. He used cutters, slower balls and changes of length to disrupt batters’ timing, particularly when they were trying to accelerate late in an innings.
IPL Season Summary
| Season | Team | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Pune Warriors India | 0 | Limited appearance |
| 2012 | Kings XI Punjab | 25 | — |
| 2013 | Rajasthan Royals | 57 | 28 |
| 2014 | Rajasthan Royals | 181 | — |
| 2015 | Rajasthan Royals | 144 | — |
| 2016 | Gujarat Lions | 77 | — |
| 2017 | Gujarat Lions | 54 | — |
The table is a selective career snapshot, not a complete scorecard. Dashes indicate that a season wicket total has not been independently verified in the sources used for this summary. Career figures can differ between databases depending on competition and innings definitions.
IPL Auction Price and Contract Context
Historical auction listings show Faulkner’s IPL value increased substantially after his strong 2013 season. Rajasthan Royals acquired him for US$400,000 in 2013, while he was retained for the following season and later joined Gujarat Lions. A specialist auction-history database lists a ₹5.5 crore purchase for Gujarat Lions in 2016. These are historical franchise transaction figures, not evidence of his current salary or total wealth.
Cricket Australia
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IPL Career Statistics
A specialist IPL statistics page lists Faulkner with 538 IPL runs and 61 wickets across his IPL career. His highest listed IPL score is 46.
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For a detailed innings-by-innings record, readers can use the player statistics system rather than relying on a short biography table.
View James Faulkner's domestic and franchise T20 stats
James Faulkner and Australia’s 2015 Cricket World Cup Victory
The 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup final is the defining match of Faulkner’s career. On 29 March 2015, Australia played New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. New Zealand were dismissed for 183 in 45 overs, and Australia reached 186 for 3 in 33.1 overs to win by seven wickets. Faulkner was named Player of the Match for taking three crucial wickets.
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The Three Wickets That Changed the Final
New Zealand had recovered after an early collapse, with Ross Taylor and Grant Elliott building a 111-run partnership. Faulkner broke that stand by dismissing Taylor with a slower delivery. He then bowled Corey Anderson with a yorker and removed Elliott, who had scored 83, to end New Zealand’s hopes of setting a more imposing total.
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2015 World Cup final: match snapshot
| Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Date | 29 March 2015 |
| Venue | Melbourne Cricket Ground |
| Competition | ICC Cricket World Cup final |
| Opposition | New Zealand |
| New Zealand total | 183 all out in 45 overs |
| Faulkner’s bowling | 3/36 in nine overs |
| Key wickets | Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, Grant Elliott |
| Australia’s total | 186/3 in 33.1 overs |
| Match result | Australia won by seven wickets |
| Award | Player of the Match |
Faulkner’s performance was especially significant because New Zealand had appeared capable of building a competitive total. His wickets broke the middle order and helped Australia control the final before the chase began.
In a retrospective interview, Faulkner described the World Cup win as more meaningful to him than the individual award. His account also showed the role of instinct in elite bowling: the slower ball that removed Taylor was not executed exactly as planned, but it still produced the crucial breakthrough.
ICC
Australia’s Fifth Men’s ODI World Cup Title
Australia’s victory made it the first men’s team to win the Cricket World Cup five times. The final also marked the last ODI appearance of captain Michael Clarke, who scored 74, while Steve Smith finished unbeaten on 56.
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Faulkner’s performance remains the central reason his name is associated with that final. He was not the highest scorer of the match, but his bowling removed the batters most capable of lifting New Zealand to a stronger total.
James Faulkner’s Records, Milestones and Awards
Faulkner’s most notable achievements span international cricket, domestic competition and franchise cricket.
| Achievement | Detail |
|---|---|
| World Cup final award | Player of the Match, 2015 |
| World Cup title | Member of Australia’s 2015 championship team |
| IPL breakthrough | 28 wickets in the 2013 season |
| ODI batting milestone | 116 from 73 balls against India |
| ODI pressure innings | 64 from 29 balls against India |
| Test debut | Six wickets on debut against England |
| Sheffield Shield success | Part of Tasmania’s 2012–13 title-winning campaign |
| Big Bash career | 80 wickets in 70 matches, according to Cricket Australia |
Cricket Australia
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Faulkner’s career illustrates a specific kind of all-round value: a player can be decisive without leading every statistical category. His best contributions often arrived at moments when the match was turning, whether through a late-order innings or a cluster of wickets.
Injuries, Selection Challenges and the End of His International Career
Faulkner’s international career did not continue for as long as his 2015 World Cup performance might have suggested. Cricket Australia’s 2025 retrospective reports that injuries ultimately curtailed his time as an international cricketer, with his final ODI coming against India in Nagpur on 1 October 2017.
Cricket Australia
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After his international appearances ended, he continued to play in T20 leagues overseas, including competitions in England and Pakistan. His later career was therefore not a single abrupt end to cricket, but a shift away from representing Australia toward franchise and domestic opportunities.
Cricket Australia
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Pakistan Super League Dispute in 2022
Faulkner’s time in the Pakistan Super League ended amid a public dispute over payments in February 2022. Contemporary reporting by Reuters and cricket.com.au described his departure from the tournament and the disagreement surrounding his contract. The incident should be described as a payment dispute, rather than embellished into a broader allegation unsupported by reliable reporting.
Cricket Australia
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James Faulkner’s Playing Style
Faulkner was a bowling all-rounder whose value came from the combination of left-arm pace, variations and aggressive lower-order batting.
Bowling Strengths
His left-arm medium-fast bowling was especially effective in limited-overs cricket. He used changes of pace and cutters to prevent batters from timing their shots, while his willingness to attack the stumps gave him a wicket-taking option when a batter was trying to accelerate. His performance in the 2015 World Cup final was a clear example of those strengths.
ICC
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Batting Strengths
With the bat, Faulkner was particularly effective when Australia needed rapid runs from the lower order. His 64 off 29 balls against India and his 116 off 73 balls demonstrated two different aspects of his batting: an explosive rescue innings and a sustained century-making performance. His three-boundary finish against England at the Gabba further reinforced his reputation as a pressure player.
Cricket Australia
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James Faulkner’s Life After International Cricket
A 2025 Cricket Australia feature reported that Faulkner had moved into the hospitality industry in Hobart after his playing career in Australian domestic cricket had ended. The feature also reflected on how his career trajectory changed after the 2015 World Cup, despite his continued participation in overseas T20 competitions for a period.
Cricket Australia
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This is a useful distinction for readers: Faulkner is a former Australian international, and his later public profile should not automatically be treated as that of a currently active professional cricketer. Any claim about a present-day team contract or current playing schedule needs fresh confirmation from an official team or competition source.
James Faulkner Net Worth, Salary and Earnings
There is no dependable, independently verified public figure established here for James Faulkner’s net worth. Websites that estimate the wealth of cricketers often combine historical franchise payments, assumed sponsorships and speculative investments, so their totals should not be repeated as fact.
What can be discussed more confidently is his historical IPL contract and auction history. Those records show that he earned franchise opportunities with Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Lions, including a reported US$400,000 purchase in 2013 and a ₹5.5 crore auction price in 2016. These amounts relate to particular transactions and should not be mistaken for annual income, take-home earnings or net worth.
Cricket Australia
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James Faulkner Career Timeline
| Year / date | Career milestone |
|---|---|
| 29 April 1990 | Born in Launceston, Tasmania |
| December 2008 | Professional debut for Tasmania, according to retrospective reporting |
| 2011 | IPL debut with Pune Warriors India |
| 2 January 2012 | T20I debut, according to Cricket Australia’s profile |
| 1 February 2013 | ODI debut against West Indies |
| 2013 | Breakthrough IPL season with Rajasthan Royals; 28 wickets |
| August 2013 | Test debut against England; six wickets on debut |
| 2013–14 | Major ODI batting performances against India and England |
| 29 March 2015 | Player of the Match in the World Cup final |
| 2016 | Played for Gujarat Lions in the IPL |
| 1 October 2017 | Final ODI against India |
| February 2022 | Left the PSL amid a reported payment dispute |
| March 2025 | Cricket Australia retrospectively reported his move into hospitality in Hobart |
The Cricketer
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Compare James Faulkner With Other Cricket All-Rounders
James Faulkner’s career is particularly interesting to compare with other left-arm pace-bowling all-rounders and limited-overs specialists. A comparison should consider the formats both players played, not just their most famous matches. Relevant measures include runs, batting average, strike rate, wickets, bowling average, economy rate and major tournament achievements.
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Frequently Asked Questions About James Faulkner
How old is James Faulkner?
James Faulkner was born on 29 April 1990. He is 36 years old as of 22 October 2026.
Cricket Australia
What is James Faulkner famous for?
He is best known for taking 3 for 36 against New Zealand in the 2015 Cricket World Cup final and winning the Player of the Match award as Australia won the tournament.
ICC
Who is James Faulkner’s father?
His father is Peter Faulkner, a former Tasmanian first-class cricketer who later served as a state selector.
Cricket Australia
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What is James Faulkner’s highest ODI score?
His highest ODI score was 116 from 73 balls against India in Bangalore in 2013. Australia lost that match despite his century.
Cricket Australia
Which IPL teams did James Faulkner play for?
He represented Pune Warriors India, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Lions in the IPL. His most productive IPL season came in 2013, when he took 28 wickets for Rajasthan Royals.
IPLT20Stats.com
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How many wickets did James Faulkner take in the 2015 World Cup final?
He took three wickets for 36 runs in nine overs, dismissing Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson and Grant Elliott.
ICC
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Is James Faulkner still playing international cricket?
No. His final ODI for Australia was against India on 1 October 2017. Later reporting described injuries as a factor in the end of his international career.
Cricket Australia
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What is James Faulkner’s net worth?
No dependable public estimate of his net worth has been verified for this biography. His historical IPL auction and contract figures are documented, but they do not establish his total wealth.
IPLT20Stats.com
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What does James Faulkner do now?
A Cricket Australia feature published in March 2025 reported that he had moved into the hospitality industry in Hobart. His exact current business position should be confirmed through a recent, authoritative source before publishing more specific claims.
Cricket Australia
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Conclusion
James Faulkner’s career is remembered most clearly for the 2015 World Cup final, but his value to Australian cricket was built over years of domestic performance. His rise through Tasmania, his match-winning contributions in the IPL and his ability to deliver under pressure made him a distinctive limited-overs all-rounder. Although injuries and selection challenges brought his international career to an end in 2017, his three wickets in the World Cup final remain a defining part of Australia’s cricket history.