If I were a selector: Hughes in, Warner out for Zimbabwe

after 2017-18 watson,clark,bally,johnson retiered this is team 1.warner 2.maddinson 9.cummins 3.smith 10.pattinson 4.lynn 11.lyon 5.maxwell 6.faulkner 7.wade 8.starc/m.marsh

this is best austaliya team 1.warner 10.pattinson 2.watson 11.lyon 3.smith 4.clark 5.maxwell 6.bally back player-lynn 7.faulkner 8.hadien/wade(back up wicket keeper) 9.johnson(back up player- starc/cummins)

Its still a pretty decent squad. Hopefully Hughes will prove himself in the longer form matches coming up and push for a test spot. But it is disappointing that he and Whiteman werent considered

Hughes didn't make the ODI squad. Poor guy. Seriously, what more does he have to do? Good to see Lyon in there for Doherty and Smith stay in.

Hmm. I'll defer further comment until I see more of these guys. I take your point and it is valid. I do like Finch's attacking style. But sometimes even in ODIs, dont you think you need someone to stick around in case the flashier batsmen all fall cheaply. But I guess it depends on what you think will win a game for you.

Missed all that news.

I don't think anyone is referring to Hughes' test experiences Bearfax. I know that he scores runs consistently in ODI/List A but other than the 200 a few days ago he generally scores pretty slowly. Finch will strike close to 100 but Hughes will only strike at 75. So while Hughes' average is higher, I'd rather have Finch bat for the first 20 overs than Hughes, even if Hughes can last a few overs longer. Our batting depth is really strong so it's not about having someone bat time it's about getting runs fast. Don't get me wrong, I really like Hughes and rate him immensely as a batsman but Finch is the bloke you want because he scores runs very quickly and can annihilate attacks, even if it is a bit inconsistently (which, according to Ronan's stats is not the case). If you were to bat on a green top against Steyn and Philander then I'd take Hughes because staying in would be the issue, as opposed to scoring at 6-7 an over. Also, if you've got Warner and Watson at the top you would want Hughes being circumspect. But against anyone on a flat or slow pitch I'd take Finch.

Just to reinforce the argument...I know I'm getting boring but stick with me a bit. Hughes in this last Aust A List A series of matches only played four matches. He scored 332 runs averaging 110.5. I dont think there was anyone in any of the teams who came close to that performance. White averaged 40, Cooper 44.5, Ferguson 32, Stoinis 58 (one score), Lynn 26, Marsh 27, Neville 16, Doolan 40 and Henriques 60. The best from India A who won it was Samson the wicketkeeper with 244 runs averaging 81 (but with 4 not out scores in 7 appearances) and Jadhur averaging 56 and Rayuda 38.

Tom I think many of us are confusing Hughes test cricket performances with his other cricket areas. In ODIs he is up there with Finch, Clarke and not far behind Watson, better than Maxwell and is superior to Warner and Smith by a long stretch in averages. In List A matches he is the best current batsman in Australian with 48.2 average. His only flaw in the shorter form of the game is that he doesn't score quite as quickly as some of the others, but then he tends to score more consistently. In fact he is probably the best all round batsman in Australia with a 42 average in T20s as well..

Coulter-Nile, Bird and Lynn are injured. I don't like Whiteman opening. If you want to test out his batting put him 4/5. Also Faulkner is a must. He's won 2 or 3 games off his own bat and his bowling in ODIs is very good. I do like that you have Harris, Lyon and Starc in there though. It's a tough one who you'd drop for Faulkner. I'd also like to see Smith batting 3 in Zim. There's a lot of ODI talent in Australia, that is for sure. Australia are strong favourites to win the WC at $2.75.

Hughes better than Finch in ODIs? No way! First class of course, but not limited overs.

You clearly didn't watch the Sheffield Shield Final. He was completely unplayable.

My Zim squad would be Finch Whiteman Watson Bailey Clarke Maxwell Faulkner Johnson Coulter-Nile Strac Lyon Bird Murihead Cummins Lynn WC I would like to see Finch Warner Watson Bailey Clarke Maxwell Haddin Johnson Stac Harris Lyon Coulter-Nile White Whiteman Faulkner I see no point in taking Haddin to Zim when you already know what he is going to give you so might as well use the matches to blood Whiteman with the gloves, give him a taste of it before the WC. Same for Lynn and a big series may just see him push into the WC squad ahead of C.White who deserves to be in there. I think Maxwell provides a handy enough 2nd spin option but wouldn't be relying on him to be a front liner. If fully fit, Harris simply has too play, he has been Australias best and most consistent bowler by a fair way when he has been fit, he is too good to leave out of such a big tournament.

Why do people feel the need to name Hazelwood? He's done nothing to show he is a standout besides playing for the right state to assist in national selection.

Wade?? Ludeman?? No chance mate.

certainly Whiteman deserves to be there especially as Haddin is in an Indian Summer phase and we cant expect that season to last indefinitely

Trying to be tricky again Ronan going back to your old selective stats strategy. Point is both have only been playing since early 2013 in ODIs and therefore all scores are relevant and Hughes has the better average. Add to that List A averages over the past 14 matches and Finch is averaging 42.3 and Hughes 43. In both situations Hughes has a slightly superior average. Your move Ronan

Yes, he hasn't been scoring many runs and his sr must be very dodgy.

White was a big chance to make the squad for the tour of the UAE. But he's averaged 23 with the bat across six completed innings for Aus A in this series. He has squandered his opportunity.