Australia begins their One Day International stint of the summer missing four premier batsmen in the country.
David Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey are established batsmen asked to put up their feet or get themselves fit for the daunting tours of India and England.
So are the players chosen worthy replacements? What is the thinking behind choosing a couple of these replacements aged 30 and over? Were they any notable players left out?
Here are four contentious selections:
Brad Haddin
Considering Brad Haddin is on the wrong side of 35 and with the likes of Tim Paine, Peter Nevill and Chris Hartley awaiting their turn, Haddin was a surprise selection.
There is no doubt the inclusion of Haddin suggests the selectors are looking to include him in the team to India and England. John Inverarity later confirmed this logic.
The other reason for selecting Haddin must be his ability to play spin bowling. Considering Sri Lanka’s team composition will consist plenty of wily spinners, it is a wise choice.
On top of that, Haddin’s glovework is far superior to Matthew Wade and his inclusion should keep the Victorian on his toes once he returns to the frame.
George Bailey
Stuart McGill stated, “Bailey is definitely not in the top six batsmen in Australia”. It was a fair comment, but with five of the top six batsmen unavailable, surely Bailey fits in the next slot of elite players.
The Tasmanian skipper averages a healthy 40 in his 13 games and has been the team’s leading scorer in four of those 13 matches, making his selection a no brainer.
Bailey’s old-fashioned style of batting is a necessity to Australia, especially with the abundance of stroke makers in the top order. And although captaincy has come premature to Bailey, with Warner out, there is really no other option.
Even at the age of 30, Bailey’s experience will add calmness to this inexperienced team.
Usman Khawaja
The selection of Khawaja is puzzling. Ever since he burst on the scene he was always touted as a Test prospect, so to select him in the ODI team is mind boggling.
One of the deficiencies in Khawaja’s game is his inability to manipulate the ball into gaps. Perhaps the selectors see the ODI game as an opportunity for Usman to develop that element of his game. Also, with the India series around the corner, it gives the selectors an opportunity to observe Khawaja’s play against spin bowling.
With Aaron Finch, Phil Hughes and Haddin expected to bat in the top three, followed by Bailey and Dave Hussey, one doubts there is spot for Khawaja.
One day specialist Callum Ferguson should have been chosen ahead of Khawaja.
Notable absentee – fast bowling all-rounder
With Shane Watson’s bowling career in turmoil, it is essential Australia find a medium-fast bowling all-rounder.
The last couple of years Dan Christian has been an option, but for some curious reason the selectors have not named a fast bowling all-rounder – unless the selectors believe Mitchell Johnson or Ben Cutting can fill the void.
The three men who could classify as fast bowling all-rounders are Nathan Coulter-Nile, Christian and Moises Henriques and all of them have had promising seasons in the Ryobi Cup.
The exclusion of the bowling all-rounder is strange, but it is an indication the selectors’ priority in the series is to find a spin bowling all-rounder.
Sanjay
Guest
Good top 3, selectors must be listening to red kev, excited to see khawaja and finch
Rohit
Guest
Robie spot on mate, I have watched a bit of Khawaja this year and he looks very aggressive not only with shots but his running between the wickets and would have been one of the first to be picked for the side. I am also not convinced on Haddin as i would have gone for Paine and would have made Warner captain with Bailey not being in my top X1.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Out of the squad they picked that's probably the best XI possible.
Red Kev
Guest
Looks like I get my wish (courtesy of cricinfo): Australia have confirmed their line-up, with Cutting and Steven Smith the men to sit out of this game. Finch and Hughes will open, with Khawaja at first drop, while Glenn Maxwell is expected to bat in the top six. Australia 1 Phillip Hughes, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 George Bailey (capt), 5 David Hussey, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Brad Haddin (wk), 8 Mitchell Johnson, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Clint McKay, 11 Xavier Doherty. Given a dry MCG pitch and 37 degrees forecast, it is definitely a bat-first sort of toss to win.
Red Kev
Guest
Well the XI has been announced (although in alphabetical order not batting order). Bailey, Doherty, Finch, Haddin, Hughes, Hussey, Johnson, Khawaja, Maxwell, McKay, Starc I would like to see us win the toss and bat with Finch-Hughes-Khawaja as the top three. If SL win the toss and bat, I can see them absolutely belting Johnson, Starc and McKay all over the shop.
Justin Ware
Roar Rookie
Probably because he's simply not good enough
Justin Ware
Roar Rookie
Brad Haddin's glovework far superior? Tell him he's dreaming
Robie
Guest
Well said RedKev, no doubt Khawaja deserves his spot in the ODI team and he is in great touch at the moment. The way Khawaja batted against the Sixers when Thunder were 4-20 to steer them to 130 with a 65 not out was fantastic.
Robie
Guest
I am a Thunders fan so a little biased but gavjoshi have you watched Khawaja bat in the big bash, he has been terrific in how he works the ball in gaps with traditional shots and the way he has used his feet against spinners reminds me a bit of Clarke. If i am not mistaken he is also the 3rd highest run getter in the Ryobi cup, so can't agree on your picking of Khawaja. Agree with you on Haddin and Bailey though.
James
Guest
Completely disagree with this article, if you take the time to watch Khawaja in the Ryobi cup you will see aggression in his game and a ability to rotate strike better then most players, he has been rewarded for his terrific form in Ryobi cup and for you to put him as a contentious pick is beyond me. Gavjoshi take some time to watch some domestic cricket mate. Its Bailey you should be questioning not Khawaja.
AndyMack
Guest
yes, its worth dropping him.
Adam Ludeke
Roar Pro
I would have Callum Feguson in my full strength Aussie line-up. Yet the selectors don't see him as an alternative even when resting half the side.
gavjoshi
Guest
Clint MCkay was Australia's leading ODI wicket taker in 2012. 27 wickets @ 23.88 with Eco of 4.52 - No doubt he is an ODI specialist.
gavjoshi
Guest
No doubuting the talent of Khawaja but considering Bailey has been a success in ODI is it worth dropping him ? Once Wade, Watson, Clarke return then there is clearly no spot for Khawaja. Put it this way - if there was Sheild cricket in parrallel to the ODI series would the selectors pick Khawaja or Bailey. I guess only time will give a definite answer and perhaps Khawaja needs an oppurinity at ODI level.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Based on Ryobi Cup form, and recent ODI form, the contentious selections really are Haddin, Cutting and Doherty. Haddin and Cutting though appear to have been selected based on Shield form which would suggest that they're being auditioned for a spot to India and/or England. Doherty seems to have been picked on incumbency. As poor as he has been this summer no other spinner has done very well in the format. All of the others seem to have been picked either on Ryobi Cup form or recent ODI form, which I would assume is what you should look for when picking an ODI side. I would have loved to have seen Faulkner get a go as he's had a great Ryobi Cup season
Matt F
Roar Guru
If Einstein had followed the Ryobi Cup at all this summer then he would have easily figured it out
Red Kev
Guest
Khawaja is 3rd on the Ryobi Cup runs list and 8th on the BBL list. I have seen a lot of his limited overs batting, he deserves his spot.
Robert
Guest
Here's a puzzling selection-STEVE SMITH.Einstein couldnt figure that out -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
peeeko
Roar Guru
Whats the story with Clint McKay? is he a one day specialist?
AndyMack
Guest
Sorry mate, I have seen a fair bit of Bailey and a fair bit of Khawaja. UTK is streets ahead of Bailey (its not even close really). If you have watched any Ryobi cup games, or any big bash games you would have seen Khawaja playing very well, opening up the whole field with his expanded range of shots. Personally i am embarrassed to have Bailey as aussie captain. it was bad enough in t20 (which is just mickey mouse tbh) but to be ODI captain?? Sorry, no!!