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Bailey's batted himself out of the World Cup

24th November, 2014
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George Bailey should be given another shot in the ODI team. (AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES)
Expert
24th November, 2014
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1538 Reads

George Bailey has batted himself out of Australia’s World Cup squad, while only Glenn Maxwell’s bowling may save him from a similar fate.

Over the past year, Bailey has made just 410 runs at 25 from 18 ODIs. His prolific form prior to that period has earned him the good grace to remain in the team throughout this prolonged form trough.

Across his first 34 matches, he made 1535 runs at 57 and surged to number two in the ODI rankings for batsmen.

However, with the wealth of 50-over batting talent in domestic cricket, Bailey can be carried no longer. Steve Smith has pinched his position as Australia’s middle-order mainstay, crashing 444 runs at 74 from his past seven ODIs.

Smith also fits the bill as Australia’s stand-in captain should skipper Michael Clarke have further injury problems in the lead up to, or during, the World Cup.

Victorian veteran Cameron White shapes as a superior backup batsman in the squad on the back of consecutive dominant seasons in the domestic one dayers.

White is a calm finisher in the middle order but also can flourish up the order. This versatility, combined with his wonderful form, deserve to earn him selection in the squad ahead of Bailey.

Mercurial all-rounder Maxwell will be very fortunate to be included in Australia’s squad after woefully erratic batting efforts in recent times.

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It has been a disappointing set of performances from Maxwell, who appeared to have matured as a cricketer.

Over a six-month period starting from February this year, he clattered 513 ODI runs at 47 with a strike rate of well above 120. While his innings were laced with extraordinary strokes he was not consistently reckless in his play as he has been the past few months.

Strangely enough, it could be his bowling which allows him to hold his place as the backup allrounder behind Mitch Marsh in the World Cup squad.

While his batting has been on the slide, Maxwell has blossomed as an ODI bowler. Maintaining the enticing loop which makes him a wicket taker in all formats, he has improved his bowling by reducing the number of loose deliveries he offers up.

Having him in the squad gives Australia some flexibility should they wish to field an all-pace frontline attack but still want to have something better than a part-time spinner in the line-up. Steve Smith’s bowling is getting better but he remains a gamble.

As for the frontline spinner role that should be given to Nathan Lyon. The 26-year-old’s Test performances have been lacklustre this year but that should not be held against him.

Since returning to the ODI side in August, Lyon has taken 10 wickets at 25 from seven matches. He has displayed the crucial dual ability to both make breakthroughs and keep things tight.

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The remainder of the squad largely picks itself. Beanpole quicks Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins edged out Kane Richardson for the back-up pace positions, while Nathan Coulter-Nile has suffered an untimely hamstring injury.

My starting XI and squad for the World Cup
1. Warner
2. Finch
3. Watson
4. Clarke
5. Smith
6. Marsh
7. Haddin
8. Faulkner
9. Johnson
10. Starc
11. Lyon

12. White
13. Maxwell
14. Hazlewood
15. Cummins

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