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Australia scored a convincing 4-1 series win over South Africa, so what have we gleaned from two of the favourite nations ahead of the 2015 World Cup?
1. Steve Smith should be first picked
Steve Smith was the clear man of the series in the Pakistan ODIs, and was one of very few batsmen who acquitted himself with any level of decency in the Test series.
So for him to not get picked for the first game of the South Africa ODI series raised some eyebrows among fans, worried that Smith may not be part of the selectors’ first XI for the World Cup.
Smith returned to the team for the second match at the expense of the injured Michael Clarke and quickly blew any concerns away – his 254 runs at an average of 84.66 was enough for a second successive man of the series gong, and his 104 in Melbourne was a Michael Bevan-esque masterclass in the art of ODI chasing.
Smith has become Australia’s most consistent batsman, and a World Cup team without him is unthinkable.
2. Australia look strong going into the home World Cup
Australia used 17 players in the five-match series, but the side never really looked weakened through rotation. What’s more, nearly all of the players picked played well.
All of the specialist batsmen made at least one score over fifty, other than Glenn Maxwell and Michael Clarke (who got injured in game one), and most of the bowlers took wickets. Strike weapon Mitchell Johnson only played the first two games of the series but the Aussies weren’t unduly strained – the slack was picked up by Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. The three shared 19 wickets between them, and Hazlewood bowled himself into the Test squad.
The mix was generally correct as well, as Maxwell’s off spin meant there was no need for a dedicated front-line spinner, and the presence of James Faulkner and Shane Watson in the team – both world-class all rounders – means Australia can bat all the way down to eight.
3. South Africa have depth issues
In contrast, South Africa are struggling to get their mix right and seem to be unsure of their best XI just three months before the start of the World Cup. Their one win in the series was catalysed by an astonishing solo performance by Morne Morkel, and aside from him, only really Vernon Philander and Dale Steyn bowled well.
The issues for South Africa arose when their depth bowlers were called upon; neither Kyle Abbott or Ryan McLaren were penetrative enough, while Farhaan Behardien surely cannot play as a front-line bowler. AB de Villiers had to resort to bowling himself in Canberra, a sure sign that he was struggling with his options.
South Africa will be hoping that the return of JP Duminy will act as a panacea; he’s consistent enough to bowl several overs in most games and he will shore-up a brittle-looking middle order batting at six or seven.
4. What do you do with a problem like Maxwell?
Glenn Maxwell has come in for a huge amount of opprobrium in recent times, some warranted – reverse sweeping early in a Test innings when Australia are 600 runs behind was unbelievable – and some unfair – he’s not exactly going to say no to being selected in the Test team or batting at three.
But he didn’t do much to sway the detractors in this series, averaging only 9.50 with the bat.
The selectors love Maxwell’s potential for destruction though, and he’s likely to be in the World Cup squad. The challenge for Australia then becomes how best to harness Maxwell’s controlled demolition work. Pushing him below Matthew Wade to eight in the batting order in the first Perth match was inspired, as Maxwell’s carnage producing style is unsustainable for a long period of time, and it’s preferable in a way to have him facing as few overs as possible.
The issue is that when there’s a collapse (as there was in the second Perth match), or a tight chase (as at Melbourne and Sydney) Maxwell – and his refusal to reign in his ultra attacking style – becomes a luxury. How Australia deal with this could have ramifications for their chances of World Cup success.
5. Michael Clarke: the elephant in the room?
When injury-prone skipper Michael Clarke hurt his hamstring running a quick single in the first match at Perth, thoughts naturally turned to who will lead the Test and ODI teams with Clarke indisposed. What got lost in the chatter was that the ODI team is perfectly capable of carrying on without Clarke; indeed, George Bailey has captained the team so often it almost feels as though he permanently has the role.
The team doesn’t generally lack for leadership either, as Bailey has captained both Australian limited overs teams. Smith also appears to be a born leader; his anchoring innings in the last three games oozing authority.
The real elephant in the room, however, is that the ODI side isn’t necessarily strengthened by Clarke’s inclusion. Bailey and Smith are the middle order rocks upon which the team is built, and Maxwell is better for team balance as he negates the need for a front-line spinner.
Clarke is clearly desperate to captain Australia to a World Cup win, however he would perhaps be better served by sitting out of the ODI side to prolong his Test career.
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