Australia come out of their international cricketing hibernation when they face up to hosts Zimbabwe in the first of their one day international matches of the tri-series. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage 5:30 pm (AEST).
With less than six months to go before a home World Cup for the well-rested Australia, this game marks the start of a building phase towards that premier competition.
The squad selection is a reflection of that; a combination of those certain to be a part of that tournament and then a few looking to push others.
There was some surprise over the non-selection of Phil Hughes after the form he showed in List A and first-class cricket in the lead-up to it but he has now got his chance with the injury of Shane Watson. Yes, Watson’s injured himself again, but this time it sounds more like a freak injury than one to do with his body failing to live up to the load.
There were still doubts over Hughes making the starting XI despite the absence of three of Australia’s main openers, Watson, David Warner (on a paternity leave) and Shaun Marsh (long-term injury), but news is captain Michael Clarke has done his hamstring two days before the game.
While Clarke might still be fit for the game, the question that the management could ask is whether it make sense for the skipper to risk it given the hectic season ahead. Clarke will want to play but a risk-reward analysis may not go in favour of that happening.
If Clarke does miss out, George Bailey will take over the leadership role – one he is quite used to – and Hughes and Aaron Finch will start the innings. It also means that Australia will be left with only six batsmen or batting all-rounders, including wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, to choose from and all will invariably feature.
Mitchell Johnson will lead the bowling attack, with Mitchell Starc expected to partner him, in the absence of Clint McKay and Nathan Coulter-Nile, both of whom featured in Australia’s last ODI but have been dropped for this series.
Nathan Lyon, who replaced Xavier Doherty, should get his third ODI cap, while James Faulkner will come in as the bowling all-rounder. The final spot in the side will go to one of Kane Richardson, Mitchell Marsh or Ben Cutting.
It is more than 31 years since Zimbabwe played their first ever ODI. They won that debut game against the Aussies in the 1983 World Cup, but in the 26 times they have played Australia since they have lost on each occasion. Current evidence suggests a record 27th loss for Zimbabwe is on the cards.
The hosts are coming off a three-match ODI series against South Africa, a series they lost three-zip. There were pockets of resistance from Zimbabwe but they never came close to surprising their African counterparts – the hope now being they will use that experience to push the Aussies.
Zimbabwean coach Stephen Mangongo dropped one of their best and most experienced batsman, Brendan Taylor, from the line-up for the third ODI against South Africa. With another experienced player, Prosper Utseya, reported for a suspect action, things could get even tougher for the hosts.
Join me for this first ODI between Australia and Zimbabwe; you can follow the live score of this game from 5:30pm (AEST) and post your comments below.
adam
Guest
hi suneer, your comment that coulter-nile was dropped from the Aus 1 day side isn't correct - he is injured after a hamstring tear in the IPL and a subsequent op to correct it
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Still no reason to put him at 3 unless it's looking at higher honours in more than just one day cricket. It's an audition, they want to see how he plays under more than just 'come in and and slog' pressure.
Ami
Guest
Lets put our faith in boof, there was a reason he picked Mitch Marsh over Hughes.
Pra
Guest
Where are all the Hughes support now, looks like boot got the team right with Mitch marsh in instead of Hughes
Tom from Perth
Guest
Thanks Suneer. Match in a couple days should be a bit more even..
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
So that's that from me then. That's the first of the seven matches to be played in this series, and Australia will take on South Africa in the second game to be played on Wednesday. The other ODI of the day, between England and India was earlier abandoned without a ball bowled because of rain.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
So who is the man of the match? Mitchell Marsh for his matured knock of 89 (83 balls) and a wicket. Or Glenn Maxwell for his 46-ball 93? It goes to Marsh!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
George Bailey calls it a competitive total. Master of understatements.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Interesting this. Post-match conference, Pommie Mbwanga asks Zimbabwean captain Elton Chigumbura on his reaction and he says: "Outplayed."
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
It looked like it was a practice game. Australia had three of them get to half-centuries but none of those players scored a century. It was enough, however, for them to score 350. And later, all bowlers, bar one, got at least a wicket. Smith got three, but it was Johnson who pegged them back with figures of 1/7 from his six. Starc and Lyon also bagged a couple but the offie came in for some punishment, conceding 42 from his seven.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A 198-run thrashing then for the below-par Zimbabwean side, with Australia winning the bonus point as well.
Johnno
Guest
Agree Suneer. The voting system the ICC have will keep Zims there.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
So that's that then, Nyumbu's dismissed by Smith & Zimbabwe have been bowled out. Was looking to slog it through mid-wicket and manages to get an outside edge and is caught at backward point. Smith gets his third and ends with figures of 3/16 - his best ever in ODI cricket.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Welcome to the live blog Johnno. I have had this feeling since 2005 when most of Zimbabwe's top-notch players stopped playing because of the issues there that Zimbabwe needed to be put with the Associates too. Unfortunately they have a vote in the ICC which could swing things into the favour of those who wanted that - which is probably why they have continued to remain there. If last four or five years of records and performances are taken into consideration, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Ireland and Afghanistan will stand on, more or less an even keel - and that's what needs to be done.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
And now Starc takes a catch to get rid of the ninth. Smith gets second. It was rather short and should have been deposited into the stands. Instead, the pull gets mistimed, hits the toe of the bat and is caught at mid-on. 9/144 in the 38th
Johnno
Guest
Zimababwe needs to be dropped as a top Tier cricket nation, and have there Test-Status removed, it's farcical that there seen as a Test-nation. There getting belting in an ODI at HOME. The 2015 ODI World Cup is gonna be boring alot of thrashings I can see why the ICC wanted it reduced to a 10-team tournament. Ireland and Canada,UAE,Holland all have brighter cricket futures than Zimbabwe.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Starc is back, replacing Faulkner. And two singles later, he has cleaned up Tinashe Panyangara. Two of his stumps, leg and middle are both on the ground. That's eight down now. 8/144 in 37.
Tom from Perth
Guest
Woooow two stumps! What a delivery!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Three off the Faulkner over before Smith gets another go. That's his third over. Also, the Batting Powerplay has now been taken. 7/141 in the 36th
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
...but off the third ball, Masakadza is stumped! Smith saw the batsman come down the pitch and pulled the length back a tad. Masakadza continued going down till he had finally missed the ball and was far outside the crease. Gone, stumped. 7/138 in the 34th, Masakadza scored 70. Well played too.