- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
With four months until the World Cup kicks off in our own backyard, Australia have completed a clean sweep in the United Arab Emirates, downing Pakistan in all three one day matches, and one T20.
With two ODI series and the domestic cup between now and the World Cup, there’s still a lot of competition for places, as Australia seek out their best XI for the tournament.
Although the side has reclaimed the number one spot in the ICC ODI world rankings, it means zero if they don’t have the best XI for the tournament.
Openers
David Warner’s time away from the side as his family grew seems to have had no impact on his form, scoring plenty of runs in the limited overs leg of the UAE tour. But the question remains as to who will partner him come February.
Aaron Finch has had a poor run of form on tour, and will struggle to hold his place in a full-strength Australian side. Shane Watson, who still seems to be the favourite if fit, has struggled with injury, and Phil Hughes has not convinced enough in his opportunities, so Finch may keep his position by default. At least the pacey Australia wickets suit him more than overseas turners.
Middle order
Michael Clarke’s injury gave Steve Smith a crack at number three and wham, bam, thank you ma’am! He took out man of the series, and notched up his two best ODI scores.
Meanwhile, George Bailey has been struggling since the end of the Aussie summer. His average has slipped nearly 10 runs, although it’s still an attractive 45-plus. Yet the pressure is on, with Smith and big Cameron White pressing their claims in the top side.
Glenn Maxwell seems to have locked in his place at five, as his hitting, bowling, and fielding over the past twelve months have validated his nickname, ‘The Big Show’. James Faulkner hasn’t done enough to get dropped, but a fit Mitch Marsh may give him some healthy competition for that spot.
Meanwhile, in the domestic ranks, John Hastings and Moises Henriques are showing similar form which led to their international berths.
Wicketkeeper
Nearly 37-years-old, Brad Haddin’s still throwing himself round like a twenty-something. Touch wood he doesn’t pick up and injury, because he’ll be an important cog with bat and gloves as Australia look to regain the silverware.
Quicks
Take your bloody pick. We have nearly a dozen quality seamers who could get the job done next year. Considering Clint McKay is still eighth in the ICC ODI rankings, yet not part of the ODI squad, it clues you in as to how much depth lies in our bowling stocks.
The choice pacemen still seem to be Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Kane Richardson, with the likes of Josh Hazlewood, Sam Rainbird, Gurinder Sandhu and Joel Paris keeping them honest via good domestic form.
All in all, we should have no issues with quick men for the World Cup, with plenty of speed and menace to pick from.
Spinner
Nathan Lyon seems to have displaced Xavier Doherty for the tweaking honours. He nabbed enough wickets in Zimbabwe and the UAE, with a miserly economy rate, to all but assure himself of a green and gold cap on the world stage. One would think that either Lyon or Doherty would be a solid enough spinner during the World Cup on Australian soil, with Maxi’s offies in support.
That being said, we know how inconsistent Cricket Australia have been in the Post-Warne search for a spinner, and Fawad Ahmed, Cameron Boyce and James Muirhead have all been given their limited-overs debuts in recent times.
Signs are good for the Australian national side, but they’re still not settled. There are a few key spots up for grabs, with the biggest concern being Warner’s opening partner.
One would think Cricket Australia would like to cement their perfect 15-man squad by the India/England Tri-Series in order to get some continuity moving into the tournament. That means the ODI series against South Africa later this year may be the final chance for fringe players to show cause for World Cup selection.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.