There is a World Cup just around the corner, and on home soil, so there is no better opportunity for Australia to lift the coveted trophy.
Australia’s struggles on the sub-continent have been well documented, so if Australia don’t win next year, it is tough to see them doing so anywhere else.
But what side can bring it home? Here is the squad I would take to the World Cup.
Batsmen
David Warner and Michael Clarke are the only certainties in this batting line-up, with all the other positions being fought out.
Aaron Finch would be my pick to join Warner at the top of the order, and I would pick Steve Smith at three. The number five position is a battle between Mitch Marsh and Shane Watson and in the end I would choose Marsh because of his bowling.
Glenn Maxwell gets picked at six, with Watson, George Bailey and Ben Dunk the other batsmen in the squad. Dunk is also a capable backup keeper.
Wicketkeeper
The India tour should be Brad Haddin’s farewell and we should pick a new keeper for the Cup. So who gets the nod?
Matthew Wade has been picked for the South Africa ODI series but he is terrible behind the stumps – he isn’t Victoria’s best keeper, let alone Australia’s.
There are four other keepers to be considered – Peter Nevill, Sam Whiteman, Chris Hartley and Tim Ludeman.
Ludeman’s batting lets him down even though he is a fantastic keeper and Whiteman looks like a great future prospect but still needs more time to mature playing state cricket.
Going on his scintillating One Day Cup form, Chris Hartley has to get the nod.
Bowlers
Mitchell Johnson is a shoe-in to lead the attack, but do we need a spinner? With Maxwell in the side a four-prong pace attack is the way to go considering the World Cup is Down Under.
If Ryan Harris is fit I would definitely pick him.
Joining Johnson and Harris are the two best bowlers from the One Day Cup, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Coulter-Nile. My reserve bowlers are Pat Cummins, James Faulkner and Cameron Boyce in case we need a spinner.
My World Cup XI
1. D. Warner
2. A. Finch
3. S. Smith
4. M. Clarke (c)
5. M. Marsh
6. G. Maxwell
7. C. Hartley (wk)
8. M. Johnson
9. N. Coulter-Nile
10. R. Harris
11. J. Hazlewood
12. P. Cummins
Other squad members: S. Watson, B. Dunk, J. Faulkner, C. Boyce, G. Bailey
What do you think Roarers, have I missed anyone out?
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