Australian cricket squad for the Zimbabwe/South Africa Tri-Series: Winners and Losers

There were no big surprises on offer as Cricket Australia released their 14-man squad for the Zimbabwe/South Africa tri-series, which begins in three weeks on August 25.

It was a host of familiar faces coupled with chances for a few around the fringes, something that was to be expected given the relative quality of Zimbabwe’s side.

Full Australian squad for Zimbabwe/South Africa in Zimbabwe: Michael Clarke (c), George Bailey, Ben Cutting, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Lyon, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Shane Watson.

Now that we have a definitive squad, it’s interesting to have an objective look at who can be buoyed by this news… and who may have a flat week after it.

The known quantities/incumbents don’t need much discussion. Clarke, Bailey, Faulkner, Finch, Haddin, Johnson, Starc, Maxwell and Watson would have been nine blokes you’d instantly expect to see when looking at the team sheet if fit.

David Warner misses the tour due to the impending arrival of his first child, while Peter Siddle is on a program focusing on getting his pace up for Test cricket rather than worrying about one day cricket currently.

That leaves five names in the squad and, perhaps more importantly, a few who missed out that can have a look at their fortunes.

Winners
Nathan Lyon – ‘Gary’ is the Test incumbent and a guy most will know and love, but he hasn’t featured in the shorter formats after his rapid rise to Test offie. But those who’ve watched Lyon closely over the journey will know that he actually got his start as a short form bowler.

Back when the BBL was still a state competition, South Australia Redbacks coach Darren Berry spotted Lyon bowling when he was working on the Adelaide Oval groundstaff team (or so the legend goes). Lyon burst out the gates as an attacking, classical off-spinner in a side that went on to win the Big Bash that year. He took 11 wickets in seven games – the equal highest total with Pat Cummins.

Lyon’s played two ODIs in the past, but didn’t really impress and the selectors seemed to see him as a Test bowler only from then on. However Lyon flagged his intentions to rejoin the ODI side and worked diligently to get up to par. He’s now been rewarded with an opportunity.

Xavier Doherty is an almost certain starter for the World Cup squad next year, but if Lyon bowls well in these matches he can make him look over his shoulder.

Kane Richardson – Richardson famously played one ODI as a 21-year-old, bowling six overs before Marais Erasmus banned him from continuing after he continually ran on the pitch in his follow through.

That issue is seemingly fixed and he’s performed well in the IPL over the past two years. Expect to see Richardson tried in the Zimbabwe games and generally trying to make a proper go of being part of an international squad.

At just about 6’3″ with the ability to push his pace up near the 145-150km/h mark at 23 years of age, he’ll be a handy addition.

Probably more one for the future, but it’s good to see him back.

Mitchell Marsh – The third Mitchell has joined the ODI unit after sporadic opportunities in the past three years. No doubt helped by his gigantic 211 versus India A last month, the brother of Shaun is looked at as a replacement for Shane Watson down the line.

He fits the criteria; he doesn’t have a heavy bowling load and tends to bat in the middle order or higher.

His biggest issue, much like his brother, is getting consistency with the bat into his game. He’s capable of good scores but also capable of very poor runs. He’s more of a batting all-rounder, but his bowling average relative to his batting average in FC/List A games would lead you to believe it’s the other way around.

Regardless, at 22 and in a rich vein of form it’s a good time to get him back into the national outfit. I’d expect to see him bat at six and not bowl his full quota of overs every game. Having said that, the selectors actually spoke about his bowling as “the thing we like most about Mitch at the moment”.

Ben Cutting – Cutting’s someone that everyone will have their own opinion of and they’ll vary wildly. Generally at international level (in few chances, granted) he’s performed above expectations with the bat while being cannon fodder with the ball. He takes wickets, but he most likely won’t have one of the better economies in the line-up.

Still, his bowling has been in good nick recently and he’s fine cover for a bowler or even the likes of Faulkner or Marsh. At 27 this tour will no doubt shape how he fits into CA’s future plans. Mark Waugh has given big raps on his bowling in the NSP/SA A/India A quad-series, but you do get the feeling that if he wants to be more than backup it may be now or never for Cutting.

Steve Smith – A very small win for an established Test batsman and a possible future captain, but Smith’s return to the short form game he used to excel at is warmly welcomed. With Warner out it wouldn’t be surprising to see him used as an ‘innings builder’ at three during this series, with his strong play of spin and unorthodox shots letting him be able to rapidly rotate the strike and accelerate when needed.

Losers

Phil Hughes – Cricket Australia spoke kindly of Hughes and recognised his amazing double century recently against South Africa A, but reading between the lines one gets the feeling they aren’t ready to bring him back into the national side just yet. At 25, time is still on his side, but he’d no doubt feel like he’d earned a go and it’s probable most would agree.

With the senior players perhaps needing some time in the middle it’s understandable, but it’s a blow for Hughes and will almost certainly mean that unless something remarkable happens he won’t come into World Cup calculations.

Hughes remains an excellent batsman and with any luck will show enough form to make the selectors regret his omission.

Clint McKay and Xavier Doherty – Although McKay perhaps has some cause for concern, not being selected doesn’t represent a big change to the fortunes of either player. McKay has for years been a fantastic ODI bowler for Australia and although there may be a perceived fall of his favour in national teams, he’s essentially still a monty at this stage to feature in the World Cup.

Doherty is much the same and his cause is assisted by far fewer options in the pecking order behind him. X’s best format has always been the one-day game for mine and it’d take something special for Lyon to remove his hold on that frontline spinner spot for the World Cup. He’s not an exciting player but he has always got the job done in this format for Australia.

Going by CA’s comments, the name of the game is giving other players opportunities to have a place in the side rather than usurp two players who’s spots are fairly safe.

Adam Voges – It’s incredibly doubtful Voges was waiting by the phone – he’s been the go to ‘break glass in case of emergency’ ODI batsman throughout his career. But at 34 years of age and seemingly comfortable playing for Western Australia and in T20 tournaments, it’s tough to see him ever getting another gig in the national one day team barring a spate of injuries.

An ODI average of near 46 in 31 games is nothing to sneeze at though. Something to show to the grandkids.

Cameron White – Again, doubtful he was sitting near the phone, but he probably had a few glances at it rather than not thinking about it. Hitting 137 against India A two days before the squad selection would have that effect you’d imagine.

White now hasn’t played an ODI in over three years but should still be a part of the T20 side going forward.

Josh Hazelwood – Not a loser as much as unlucky. Cricket Australia loves him and he’s always near the squads, but he went down with a side strain on the 20th of July and isn’t yet fit again. May feature in the WC, but for a young bowler trying to break into a strong pace battery he would have hoped to prove his worth in this series.

Wicketkeepers – It is a short series, but Haddin’s almost certainly going to play the World Cup. Why not give the likes of Sam Whiteman a taste? Wade’s keeping isn’t up to scratch in Tests, but he’s a capable short form player. There was even the option of having Phil Hughes in the squad as a backup keeper in the Jimmy Maher mould.

All in all, while some can feel aggrieved it’s a strong squad on paper. Australia have four matches and a probable final in the Triangular series for the ‘winners’ to show their worth.

The series kicks off on the 25th of August, with Australia playing Zimbabwe at 5:30pm AEST. The final will take place on the sixth of September.