Where to for the Australian selectors, now that James Faulkner has declared himself fit to return against Afghanistan at the WACA tomorrow?
One of, if not the most eminent ‘death’ player in the game due to his exploits in both disciplines, Faulkner is more than just an integral part of Australia’s best XI, he’s arguably the first one picked.
With Michael Clarke’s much-publicised hamstring woes, Faulkner’s side strain, and now Pat Cummins in need of a rest due to soreness, combined with the washout against Bangladesh, the complete shambles in New Zealand on Saturday, and the undignified off-field bickering led by Shane Warne, Australia’s World Cup campaign has been as far from seamless as it is possible to be.
There is no doubt that the Australians will bounce back from all of this unevenness, but what format does the best side now take?
Will Shane Watson feel the cold steel on his neck, and be dropped for form? If it happens, they’ll line the streets from Penrith to Pinjarra to celebrate. People will ask for a national public holiday to mark the event.
Has there ever been a more divisive cricketer to represent our nation? Has there ever been another who makes so many supposed supporters of the Australian team delight in his failure?
Put simply, an in-form and destructive Shane Watson increases Australia’s chances of winning the World Cup. An opponent like the plucky, but outmatched, Afghanistan might just supply the perfect template for him to graft some significant runs, and find some confidence.
Are Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell in the gun?
Only three matches ago, Marsh and Maxwell showed maturity, poise and discipline to put on a match-winning 141 run partnership in the tri-series final, delivering Australia from 4/60 to 5/201. They both delivered with the ball as well, Maxwell taking 4/46, and Marsh tightening the screws on the English batting line-up, allowing only 18 runs from his seven overs.
Even in Australia’s opening World Cup assignment, against England again, Marsh ran through the opposition top order in taking 5/33, and with the bat Maxwell was the second highest scorer with a blistering 66 off 40 balls.
Both contribute too much to be left out, and have found form at the right time, even if they didn’t display it against New Zealand.
If Cummins is to miss, should Faulkner just come straight in for him?
We’ve seen specialist quicks get the long handle taken to them time and again in this tournament, especially in the latter overs, so do we need to replace one with another, when Faulkner is a better operator to be bowling at the end anyway?
Use Johnson and Starc in short bursts to maximise their impact and strike potential, and rotate support from Faulkner, Mitch Marsh, Watson and Glenn Maxwell.
If Watson and Marsh, in particular, can bowl tight lines and be difficult to score off, they increase the chances of batsmen making a mistake to them if they’ve got Starc and Johnson posing a threat and needing to be defended at the other end.
The ball is in the selectors’ court, and it will be fascinating to see which way they go.
Faulkner in. But who out?
Kaks
Roar Guru
I agree with this, Drop Watson, Push Smith up to 3, push everyone else up a spot and have Faulkner in at 7
Don Freo
Guest
3 or 4 games is fair. As long as when he performs you count it, rather than dismiss it as easy but count the hard failures...like last week. 66 off 40 balls is exactly his brief. It is the job of the first 5 or 6 to get us to 4/220. His job is not to save us when we lose 4/10...although it would be nice if he did.
The Bush
Roar Guru
I can bowl as well as Xavier...
The Bush
Roar Guru
Easy mate, whilst I think M Marsh has been picked prematurely (hence why I think he should be dropped), the kid has shown a lot of promise and, unlike his brother, at 23 could have a big future and should be persisted with in the medium term post World Cup. To brighten your day, I think most posters would agree your favourite Marsh (and player of all time I think) has always been a better short form batsman than FC batsman.
Paul Giles
Guest
In the 2014/15 season, Glenn Maxwell has had a poor season, he made few runs against South Africa, and only made one fifty in the five tri series games. He makes a soft 66 of 40 balls coming in at 4/220 of 40 overs against an English team that can't buy a wicket at the moment. How many games do you justify form on, it seems on your basis Don, you would of had Liam Davis in the test team after he made that 300 for W.A a few seasons back. The only player who could totally fail in the next few games with the bat and deserve to keep his place would be Steve Smith, none of Watson, Marsh or Maxwell deserve that treatment if they fail in the next 3 or 4 games.
Don Freo
Guest
You didn't watch either?
Larney
Guest
The irony of those first few sentences? I suppose it suits your argument!
Don Freo
Guest
23 and a duck. Everyone got a duck in that innings. Were you not impressed with that 23? It was commanding and dominant. If a player gets out sacrificing an average for quick runs, that is a sign of quality, not failure. He has also taken 5 wickets in his last 10 overs. Is that not doing enough? As for Maxwell, why go back more than 20 matches? Does that suit your argument? Why not refer to this current season. That where form is measured.
Paul Giles
Guest
Maxwell has averaged about 20 from his last 20 innings, inspiring stuff that is. He did make a nice 95 in the tri series final and his 66 of 40 balls was a high pressure innings coming in at 4/220 of 40 overs against England who have struggled to take a wicket this whole World Cup. Marsh played a few nice innings and then got injured and then comes back and makes 23 and a duck. None of Maxwell, Watson, M.Marsh or Bailey have a compelling case that they should be in the team in front of the others. Personally I would not have had Doherty in the squad, and would have S.Marsh opening with Finch out, and M.Marsh in with Maxwell out.
Don Freo
Guest
Maxwell and Marsh haven't done enough? Have you missed most of this season Paul?
Paul Giles
Guest
What happens if Watson and Marsh both make 50s against Sri Lanka and Maxwell makes a duck. If one of Watson or Marsh makes a 50 against Sri Lanka and Maxwell makes a duck. In the first scenario, both Watson and Marsh keep their place, in the second scenario, whoever makes the fifty keeps their place and George Bailey replaces the other. Neither Watson, Maxwell or Marsh have done enough to keep their place in the team, I think S.Marsh is unlucky but he isn't in the squad because the aussies wanted to pick a spinner in the squad who was never going to play a match.
Don Freo
Guest
Differing oppositions. I'd have Watson ahead of Bailey but behind Marsh, Faulkner and Maxwell. Yet, I'd have him ahead of Finch. Finch can only score against minnows. (Where has JimmyB gone during the WC?)
Don Freo
Guest
With WA being so ripped off with international cricket this year, including not allocating a game at the WACA on a public holiday (this last Monday) when international sides are here hanging around, it would be really cruel to rob us of seeing Mitch Marsh play.
Don Freo
Guest
Absolutely no problem batting Maxi and Marsh at 5 and 6. They are both performing better than Watson and Bailey with the bat and we have the greatest tail in history. Last Saturday was a rare visit to the crease for #8 to 11. The best way to not make the WC final is to leave out our trump cards...our bowlers. Anyone in the side can bat as well as Finch, Bailey and Watson. Not everyone can bowl as well as Mitch x 3, Hazle or Cummins. Everyone can bowl as well as Doherty.
Don Freo
Guest
Marsh can bat anywhere but I really love how no one accepted Marsh as a high/middle order batsman at the start of the season and now are excluding him from the middle/lower order because he is a batsman. Another Marsh silences his critics.
13th Man
Guest
Umm I think Watson might head that list, Finch made a ton in the World Cup opener Maxi and Warner both made tons in the warm up games against India.
13th Man
Guest
I think Mitch Marsh can bat in the top 5, he batted at 3 against South Africa and Zimbabwe. I am with you, i think Bailey should play but i think it is very stiff on Marsh who has done nothing to deserve being dropped. This is the side i would play: Warner Finch Smith Clarke Bailey/Marsh (If u want the bowling go marsh, batting go bailey) Maxwell Faulkner Haddin Johnson Starc Hazlewood/Cummins/Doherty
VL98
Guest
Watson has several records in ODIs & T20s. He's supreme in shorter formats. He's very low in confidence lately because he has been very harsh on himself for his failures. Watson's turn of form is just around the corner. Records: 1. Highest ODI score in a run-chase. 2. Holds all top 3 spots in the list of ODI highest scores by Australian batsmen in a run-chase. 3. Highest ODI batting average(4000 runs @45) of all Australian opening batsmen who have scored over 1000 runs. 4. Best ODI all-round figures(batting-bowling average) of all Australian players who have scored over 2000 runs and took atleast 100 wickets. 5. Highest T20I strike rate(151) of all opening batsmen who have played over 30 matches. 6. Best T20I all-round figures(batting-bowling average) of all players who have scored over 1000 runs and took atleast 30 wickets. 7. Highest one day international score by an Australian batsman. 8. Highest percentage of runs in an ODI innings - 80 percent. 9. Only player to win four consecutive Man of the Match awards in ICC event history. 10. Only player to win Australian "Player of the Year" award in all formats. 11. Won 6 awards for the Australian Test, ODI & T20I player of the year awards, which is the most by any player. 12. Won IPL player of the tournament twice in 2008 and 2013. Watson's average as opener is 45 with 4000 runs (Strike rate 91). Compare it with warner(1800 @32 SR 85) & finch(1600 @39 SR 88). These days, people score 100s at ease. On that basis, warner & finch should have higher avg & SR than Watson, but its much less. Thats his talent. On top of that, as a bowler, he took 164 wkts @31 avg.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I think if you're going on the form line of the last game you would do the reverse and keep Maxwell and Marsh who seemingly may have had their form lines disrupted by the long layoff, while giving Watson a spell, who seemed to not be unduly affected by a rest.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Faulkner in for Wato and Hazlewood in for Cummins tomorrow. If they stick with Wato he's likely to get a big score tomorrow which will cement his place in the team. That shot he got out on against Vettori was so lame, he wasn't Han Solo there but he just doesn't seem to be enjoying his cricket and confidence down. I've always rated him being so gifted but he has to go now particularly as he isn't bowling much. Faulkner to take his spot now with Smith moving to 3. Not sure we should be carrying 3 alrounders so perhaps the remaining group games decides who stays out of Maxwell and Marsh. Bailey would come in as the 5th specialist batsmen with either Marsh or Maxwell to drop out. Bailey is a cool head and reckon he would have steadied the ship against NZ. Team for the first knockout game, Warner Finch Smith Clarke Bailey Maxwell Faulkner Haddin Johnson Starc Cummins