Move over India, the World Cup XV is what I'm talking about

The Indian series is almost at its end and though it has been enthralling, packed with moments of beauty and anger and played with the fire and venom which has become the norm for Test cricket, it’s time to move on to greater things.

I’m talking about the World Cup in 2015. Australia and New Zealand’s biggest moment in cricket, a time when you expect all eyes to be turned onto the two southern countries, scrutinising every moment of the tournament.

With this in mind, I wanted to select a squad of fifteen similar to what is going to be selected by Cricket Australia in the coming days. We’ll start with a first eleven in batting order.

1. David Warner
The pit bull of Australian cricket, the feisty pocket rocket is a lock for the opening position. The last 18 months have seen Warner go from hit and miss opener, to a star of world cricket making runs on all grounds with several more gears to his game than previously thought.

This newfound maturity has seen Warner crack 3000 Test runs in blistering speed with only the likes of Don Bradman and Neil Harvey able to do it faster. His one-day record is good without being spectacular. With an average of 31, two hundreds and 10 fifties to his name, this World Cup could make Dave Warner elite across all categories in cricket. A game changer with bucket loads of x-factor, Warner is in.

2. Aaron Finch
First I wanted Chris Hartley but Haddin’s leadership and glove work won out for the keeping spot. Then Usman Khawaja received an unfortunate and untimely injury, so he was out. However, Aaron Finch won out with his hitting and game changing ability.

The man with five centuries, five fifties and an average creeping up to the forties is in my mind the perfect partner to Warner. Explosive and talented, Finch has grown immensely since bursting onto the scene of one-day cricket. When on-form no ground can hold him and every bowling attack should fear him. Predicting a solid tournament from Finchy.

3. Cameron White
Perhaps a surprise to some but the forgotten man of Australian cricket proved once again this summer he is one of the best batsmen going around. With two hundreds and two fifties in the Matador Cup at an average of 59, White is in white hot form and definitely deserving of a return to the coloured clothing of Australia.

Boasting an international one-day average of 35 with two hundreds and 11 fifties, the man they call ‘Bear’ provides class at first drop with the ability to take games away from teams with big hitting and the the ability to bat deep into an innings. He also provides leadership which is always helpful. 2015 should hopefully see the rise and return of the Bear.

4. Steve Smith
Super Steve, Stevie Wonder, Steve the sublime. I am running out of adjectives for the man who is growing before our eyes. Steve Smith was once a decent leg-spinning all-rounder, nowadays Smith has become a brilliant batsman capable of destroying attacks.

With two hundreds and three fifties ‘Smudge’ scores all around the ground, with strokes that continue to amaze. Serviceable bowler if needed, Smith could potentially captain the side after been given the Test captaincy indefinitely.

He can blast through the latter overs, construct innings as easily as Mozart composed symphonies and in career best form he can do it all. Also a brilliant field he is the complete package and a must for this one-day team.

5. George Bailey
The ever-smiling Tasmanian will captain Australia should Michael Clarke not be fit for the World Cup or the opening of the tournament. A talented late innings hitter who loves to find the boundary, Bailey serves as a very good middle order batsman as evidenced by his knocks in the one-day series over in India. With the emergence of Steve Smith, he can probably only take Pup’s spot if he is injured but will definitely make the squad of fifteen.

6. Brad Haddin
His glove work is good, winding back the clock with two classic catches against India, and he’s played in a myriad of batting positions over his one-day career. Averages 31 with the bat in ODIs, with two hundreds and 15 fifties.

Haddin Needs to find form with the bat as Matt Wade impressed against South Africa with both gloves and bat. His leadership is invaluable and should his batting click he could be Australia’s finisher of innings. His glove work keeps him comfortably as the best keeper in Australia, meaning he makes the World Cup team.

7. Mitchell Marsh
Talented all-rounder who excites many good judges in Australia with both his batting and bowling, if Marsh regains his fitness he could be a key player in the World Cup. He is probably better suited to the finishing role with his batting, he can hit a long ball and provided several instances of heroics for Australia in Zimbabwe.

With his bowling he can bowl a zippy 135 kilometres per hour with plenty of variation. A perfect foil to the likes of Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood.

8. Mitchell Johnson
The spearhead, the leader, one of the greats, a potential immortal. Mitchell Johnson is brilliant at his best and one of the guns that needs to fire for this Australian team to win the cup. Although he hasn’t repeated his Ashes heroics this summer, it’s perhaps unrealistic to demand that sort of return every series.

In saying that he has still been good, having taking wickets when needed and bowling good spells. With 221 ODI wickets Johnson is a definite for this team. Can be a handy lower order bat and is definitely in the class of an all-rounder. Looks in need of a rest before the World Cup and should that happen I think we will all see the best of Magic Mitch.

9. Josh Hazlewood
A fast bowler with a huge future, a towering frame capable of bowling more than 140 kilometres per hour, Hazlewood has become the perfect foil to Harris and Johnson in the Test team. He is equally capable as an opening one-day bowler, who came of age in the South African series just gone. His ability to swing the bowl is a huge plus and he is pretty handy in the field.

10. Nathan Lyon
The premier spinner in Australia has come of age and found confidence in the recent home series against India. A more attacking approach has reaped benefits and although he needs a few more one day games under his belt Lyon should be the preferred choice for the spinner’s spot.

He edges out one-day stalwart Xavier Doherty due to the fact he can turn and flight the ball better than Doherty who tends to rely on changes of pace.

11. Jason Behrendorff
A rising talent from the west, Behrendorff has terrorised state batting attacks from the Matador Cup with the Western Warriors and once again in the Big Bash League with the Perth Scorchers. He bowls a nagging line and length similar to the great man Glenn McGrath.

In very good form, perhaps the best of his career to date, an Australia A call up in 2014 shows how he is regarded by selectors. However, debuting in the World Cup would be difficult, so I’d throw him in against the West Indies tour and see how he goes. If not, the lethal and talented Ryan Harris, should his body hold up, is a more than adequate replacement with his pace and swing and a very useful lower order bat. Wait and see on this.

12. Glenn Maxwell
Maxwell could make this team with his supposed x-factor, bowling and fielding ability. He does incredible things as often as he does stupid things and has been maligned for not keeping his flair in check when the team needs it.

But Maxwell is a very exciting player who just needs to deliver. He also needs the media to stop calling him ‘The Big Show’. Won’t be surprised if he made this team in real life, but doesn’t have that consistency I wanted for the first 11.

13. Mitchell Starc-Ryan Harris
Mitchell Starc is talented, there’s no doubt that he can bowl, but he’s maybe not good enough for a starting team place. Having taken 49 wickets in 28 matches with best figures 5-20, he is definitely ready to play back-up to the fast bowling cartel of Australia.

Ryan Harris makes this spot if he’s not fit for the start of the tournament but can play later. His record is phenomenal and is unmatched with his accuracy and swing ability, which makes him one of the best bowlers in the world.

14. Matthew Wade
It seems like Cricket Australia’s preferred back-up to Brad Haddin is Wade and as mentioned previously he impressed with his glove work and batting against South Africa earlier in the summer. A fighter who can bat anywhere in the top six. Picked as back-up wicketkeeper but could also play as specialist batsmen should the need arise.

15. Shane Watson
Watson just edges James Faulkner out of the squad for this position. As a batsman Watson averages 40, with nine hundreds and 31 fifties and is probably a little more adaptable in terms of where he can bat then Faulkner.

Faulkner probably has Watson for pace in regards to bowling but Watson is accurate and can bowl a solid eight overs for not many runs. Having claimed 164 wickets Watson is a proven performer over the years. Could have been the number three in this team but seems a little out of sorts at the moment.