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With four specialist batsmen, three all-rounders (plus keeper/batsman Brad Haddin) and no spinner, Australia’s unorthodox best XI at the World Cup could backfire.
The line-up has been customised for this tournament. Small grounds and rules encouraging run scoring have made it a World Cup for batsmen. Around one in three innings so far has brought over 300 runs.
With genuine hitters down to 10, this Aussie team is capable of some massive scores, particularly when playing weaker teams.
Against England the Aussies were three wickets down in the eleventh over before amassing 342. Last night’s match versus Afghanistan saw Australia score 417.
However the lack of specialist batsmen hurt against the Kiwis, when Australia’s specialist batsmen failed and the all-rounders weren’t able to save the innings. Adding more batsmen might not necessarily have helped, but George Bailey is a better option than Glenn Maxwell or Mitch Marsh in that scenario.
Bringing Bailey in leaves Australia with five batsmen, a keeper/batsmen, two all-rounders, and three bowlers.
Bailey had been out of form for a while but played well against England. His ODI record throughout his career has been brilliant and the Tasmanian can both build and finish an innings. He’s certainly a better option than Maxwell at five.
Even though Maxwell’s bowling average is slightly worse than Michael Clarke’s he needs to stay to give Australia a spin option. This is especially true considering Clarke rarely bowls.
That leaves Marsh to be dropped for Bailey. Pushing the West Australian out of the team would be harsh after he snared five wickets against England, but he’s surplus to requirements. A team with Mitch Johnson, Mitch Starc and Pat Cummins doesn’t need more wicket takers.
As easy as it is to be seduced by dominant batting performances against England and Afghanistan, showing proper batsmanship against the attacks of New Zealand and South Africa is what will deliver Australia a World Cup.
Bailey’s inclusion will seriously boost Australia’s chances of winning the tournament.
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