In what is the biggest indicator of the Australian squad for the 2015 Cricket World Cup so far, the Australian selectors have announced a 13-man squad for the first two matches against South Africa in November.
Notable inclusions include Matthew Wade, who will replace Brad Haddin for the series, while left-handed all-rounder James Faulkner is absent for the games. Mitchell Marsh will take up the all-rounder spot, along with Glenn Maxwell and Shane Watson.
“James Faulkner will play some Shield cricket after his T20 commitments against South Africa, allowing Mitch Marsh additional opportunities in Australia’s one-day setup, while Matthew Wade comes in for Brad Haddin who will have a short break,” said Australian selector Rod Marsh.
Watson has been included in the national squad for the first time since injuring himself before the Test series against South Africa earlier this year. Watson made an impressive 83 in the final of the domestic one day cup, which no doubt helped his cause in earning a national recall, though he didn’t bowl in the tournament.
Rod Marsh gave an indication that the selectors have picked this group with a view to who will be in the squad for the World Cup.
“We are continuing to keep a close eye on players we feel could have a significant role to play in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup and many of these players have been rewarded with selection in this initial squad to face South Africa.
“At this stage, the squad is only for the first two matches of the series and balances out player preparation for long and short form cricket as we build into a big summer.
“This squad caters for the WACA’s renowned fast and bouncy surface with six pace bowling options.”
Indeed, there is no specialist spinner, with impressive quicks Nathan Coulter-Nile, Josh Hazlewood and Kane Richardson all included, alongside Mitchell Johnson.
Nathan Lyon has been omitted, and Glenn Maxwell will presumably take up the spinning responsibilities.
“Nathan Coulter-Nile has returned from injury after missing the Zimbabwe tour and along with Josh Hazlewood, finished in the top three wicket-takers in the Matador Cup.”
Full Australian squad to play South Africa in first two matches
Michael Clarke (c)
George Bailey (vc)
Nathan Coulter-Nile
Aaron Finch
Josh Hazlewood
Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Marsh
Glenn Maxwell
Kane Richardson
Steve Smith
Matthew Wade
David Warner
Shane Watson
DJW
Guest
Matthew Wade! Are the selectors for real? He must have some comprimising photos
Don Freo
Guest
Shaun is in good touch on his return...2 good scores. He should play in the Shield match on Friday. Now there's a WC smokey.
Don Freo
Guest
I love their comments...they know cricket. Tub, in particular, sees talent while Chappelli has a grasp on all cricket that has ever been played and has moved with the times. Love the boy...one of commentary's greats. McNamara, on the other hand just rattled tripe including constant reference to his cricketing days with the boys...sometimes missing some very clever cricket which passed without comment.
Don Freo
Guest
He went at 3.4 an over in Matador at an average of 10...but because stats only signal good form, you'll notice that every time WA was letting the opposition get off the hook, back came NCN with a wicket or a tight spell...not to mention 3 magnificent catches. Did you see his bag of wickets in the Matador off only 5 matches? 5 an over sounds like a good number to guess but, with scores these days always over 250, that is an excellent economy rate anyway. You might have to try again QW...or just quit whingeing.
Nudge
Guest
I can't really see too much special in Coulter-Nile either. I'm starting to really warm to Richardson though
Shouts Chen
Guest
Matt Wade for the ODIs? Why not have him for T20s. He's capable of wicketkeeping.
Dog's Breakfast
Guest
Can't understand the selections of Wade and Hazlewood. Wade should have had a line put through his name some time ago and Hazlewood is probably the least promising of all our young quicks. Where is the spinner? So what if the games are at the WACA. They like bounce as much as the quickies. Like the batsmen they've picked. Think Smith should stay at 3. He doesn't do all that well in the middle order in ODIs. If you're going to pick him, play him where he'll succeed. Warner, Watson, Smith... ? Tough on Finchy. Would like to see both him and Bailey score some runs before the series starts.
Peter
Guest
A tale of 2 keepers. 101 @ 16 in the Matador cup against 403 @ 57 Fumbling ham-fisted keeping against beautiful keeping. And who gets selected?
Rellum
Roar Guru
Seems now the selectors don't value runs at the top of the order if you go by Jesse Hogans reporting, late order 20's at a strike rate of 90 now seems to be the bench mark of hat they are looking for, not big runs at the top of the order. To me that smacks or a PR statement to justify their selections.
Annum
Guest
From what I read he is out for a few weeks so he should be back for the ODIs and I think this could be khawaja's season
Annum
Guest
Thanks Jammel, completely agree
Quitwhinging
Guest
he goes at 5 an over, never took a bag of wickets. Overrated
Daunty
Guest
I can't understand not putting Hartley into the fold of ODI's. He's keeping was across the board very good to all bowlers, espeacially in close to spinners. That's normally my main criteria for keepers. I think I'd like to see Hartley play a simialir role to what he does at Queensland and anchor the Australian innings. Also Hartley isn't just an anchor and showed in the Matador cup that he has the ability to go big when required.v His keeping for me is ten miles better than any of the other keepers. I think in ODI cricket especially someone needs to bat out the majority of overs and that it should be from your top three batters if you want a good score. I think there is more than enough fire power with the likes of Bailey, Maxwell and Smith amd Coulter-Nile should he ever fire. Hartley would be the best choice for this team and I believe he's been harshly done by.
Peter
Guest
I wish Lehmann would be more broadminded. And maybe he only applies the rule to tests. If Bung Lee proved one thing, its that fast tosh is dispatched easily by good players.
Aussie Opener
Guest
Quitwhinging , Indeed. Have a look at his record . Would you except nothing less than Johnsons performance in the ashes last year ? Whinging indeed. NCN fielding is another big reason for selection and fielding in this format of the game is huge.
Aussie Opener
Guest
Warner ?
Bucks
Guest
Also, Sean Abbott would have been in the squad
Bucks
Guest
I would have rested Warner for this series and picked Hartley to open with Finch. Also, Clarke would be rested as he will be needed for the test series vs India. Watson needs game time to come back into the Aus team, so hes all g. My Team for the RSA series would have been; Finch(c), Hartley(wk), Watson, Smith, White, Maxwell, Marsh, Johnson, Richardson, Coulter-Nile, Hazlewood. But my team for the actual squad would be; Warner, Finch, Watson, Smith, Bailey (c), Maxwell, Marsh, Wade (wk), Johnson, Coulter-Nile, Hazlewood
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
I don't think he's the front runner. They want the other keepers to be keeping in 4 day cricket. That is part of the consideration. Shame Mitch Marsh is in line for a World Cup berth, he could really do with playing 4 day games for WA.
Dan
Guest
Where's Faulkner? Not sure about Richardson and no spinner? Do we really need to see Clarke, Johnson and Watson. Hartley has been ignored for the past 10 years, in my opinion he's a better keeper/bat then Haddin let alone the other's but they could have given a younger guy a chance over Wade...