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James Faulkner’s absence from Australia’s opening World Cup clash, with England, has left his side with a massive gap to fill and has given the selectors a few headaches of their own.
Having moved Steve Smith up to the all-important number three position, I think the time is right to give the returning Shane Watson the Faulkner role.
By putting Watson in at number seven and moving Brad Haddin to eight, it gives Australia great batting depth and doesn’t disrupt the top order.
The out-of-sorts Haddin may feel less pressure coming in further down the order while Watson has the required explosiveness to play Faulkner’s role.
The move may also ease the burden of expectation on Watson who has struggled in the past twelve months; averaging only 24.67 with the bat at the top of the order in nine one-day appearances.
Coming in and needing to play aggressively from ball one may just be what the much-maligned all-rounder needs.
The only concern Australia may have with this line-up is getting 20 overs out of Watson, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell – particularly if one of the front line seamers is having an off day.
It could still be a safer option than bringing in Pat Cummins alongside Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson who all have the propensity to leak runs due to their extreme pace.
Faulkner’s boots will not be easy to fill, no matter what combination the Australian selectors opt for.
Faulkner has become a renowned lower-order finisher with the bat, often blasting Australia to victory in tight finishes – most notably at the Gabba last year against the English.
In the past twelve months he has averaged an amazing 51.71 with the blade at a more than healthy strike rate of 105.
While his ability to combine clear thinking with power hitting in the latter stages will undoubtedly be missed, his bowling may be missed even more.
Having started his career as a specialist bowler, Faulkner has developed an impressive arsenal of one-day variations. Out of the back of the hand slower balls, cutters and slow bouncers are all part of his weaponry and give Australia a reliable option during the middle overs and at the death.
Since the beginning of 2014 Faulkner has taken 25 wickets in 19 matches, conceding only 5.59 runs an over despite bowling a lot of death overs.
The next issue the selectors will face will be who to play and who to drop when Faulkner is available again.
Marsh proved his worth in the Tri-Series Final, making 60 off 68 balls after coming in at 4 for 60 and then conceding only 18 runs in seven economical overs in England’s chase.
The enigmatic Maxwell claimed man-of-the-match honours in the Tri-Series Final with a run-a-ball 95 and four valuable wickets, cementing his place in Australia’s World Cup side.
Marsh and Watson may well find themselves battling it out for a spot in Australia’s second pool match if Faulkner is ready to return.
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