With all due respect to Afghanistan, Wednesday’s World Cup game at the WACA was a glorified net practice for the Australians in the lead-up to Sunday’s vital clash with Sri Lanka at the SCG.
Australian captain Michael Clarke obviously didn’t think so.
If ever an Australian batsman needed time in the middle, it was Clarke. He has batted just once in a meaningful innings in 12 weeks, making an uneventful 12 runs against the Kiwis.
But Clarke decided he was beyond those facts and didn’t bat in Australia’s 7-417 slaughter, the highest total in World Cup history. Yet he bowled himself before both Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner in the record-breaking 275-run victory.
Go figure.
What should have happened was Clarke batting three, giving himself plenty of time to get among the serious runs, and failing that batting four with 12.4 overs left when David Warner was dismissed.
That was also time enough to put together an innings of import to face the far stronger Sri Lankan attack on Sunday.
After Australia’s one-wicket loss to the Kiwis, Sri Lanka will be the most vital game the Aussies play in regulation. A loss at the SCG and Australian will finish third in Pool A, which means they will play South Africa in the quarters, when they finish second to India in Pool B.
Australia’s campaign could well finish right there.
Leaving the hard-to-fathom Clarke out of the equation, there were many pluses in the game against Afghanistan.
Warner’s swashbuckling 178 off only 133 included 19 fours and 5 sixes. He was in complete control of his shot-making, in a more sedate innings than usual. That batting will hold him in good stead against the far better Sri Lankan attack.
Steve Smith was a perfect foil for Warner, regularly feeding the left-hander the strike. He batted for 173 minutes, yet scored his 95 off only 98, including 8 fours and just 1 six.
Smith deserved a century for the unselfish way he batted. Their 260-run second wicket stand is an all-time ODI Australian record for any wicket.
With Clarke sitting on his hands in the shed, Maxwell’s promotion started with a reverse sweep on the way to smacking 50 off 21, the fastest half-century by an Australian at a World Cup.
In the end Maxwell ripped 88 off 39, with 6 fours and 7 sixes, in a typically audacious dig. He constantly rides the thin line between being a hero or a bum. Yesterday was hero status. Le’s see how he treats the Sri Lankan attack.
With the ball, Mitchell Johnson returned to his wicket-taking best with 4-22 off 7.3, but he must tighten his line and length for Sri Lanka.
Mitchell Starc’s 2-18 off six continued the big fella’s improvement, and Josh Hazlewood’s 2-25, replacing the injured Pat Cummins, was solid.
The interesting selection will be Shane Watson, left out of Wednesday’s romp. Will the all-rounder be back for Sri Lanka, or is his ODI career done and dusted? That decision could well play a major role in the outcome with Sri Lanka.
He must play, even at the expense of Mitchell Marsh.
ausi
Guest
Watson is gone - end of story - David you were doing well until you plumped for Watson.
13th Man
Guest
I hope your wrong and Harris is fit but even so If comes to England he could still be bowling coach if he isn't fit!
Don Freo
Guest
Yeah...pick him if he is fit...not partially fit. Ageing sportsmen do not recover from degenerative knees. You can't regrow cartilege when there is none to regrow. He won't make it. I do love the fact that we are treating Lord's article with the contempt it deserves.
13th man
Guest
Don, Harris is an absolute gun, he is lionhearted and IS the best in Australia. And the pitches against india were absolute roads, no bowler was able to tear apart a batting lineup on those pitches, but still Ryno looked the most likely quick to take a wicket. And as far as a double standard is concerned, for guys like Clarke, Faulkner and Harris who are crucial players to Australian victory (Faulkner only in ODIs) you want them playing as much as possible. For guys like Watson and Shaun Marsh there are just as good (if not better) players to replace them. There is no replacement for Harris or Clarke, they are simply too good to replace! If Harris is fit you pick him! Simple as that!
jameswm
Guest
The reason Don is - because yes, he IS that good. Those other young bowlers can come in for the tests Harris doesn't play. You don't pick Harris when "unfit". You pick him for the games he can complete. Smart move by CA to get him into rehab so he's right to go for the Ashes. Same for Clarke. If his back means he can only play 4 of the 5 tests and misses one of a set of back to back tests, so be it. He's our best batsmen and crucial to us winning over there. You're saying don't pick them for any tests unless they are guaranteed to be fit for the whole series. I'm saying we manage them and pick them when they are ready to go, as they increase our chances of winning - which is the point, right?
jameswm
Guest
Update NSW managed to lose 4 for 10 to be 6 for 110, but Nevill and SOK are on a rescue mission. Hope I don't jinx them. Bird 13 overs 2 for 25, including bowling Abbott 1st ball. Burns failed - he wants to be cementing his spot. Vics just creaming SA. Declared at 6 for 534, and SA now 4 for 78. Cooper and Ferguson both ducks, which doesn't help. Siddle 8 overs 3 for 16, the guy hasn't given up yet.
Don Freo
Guest
Ridiculous. Why pick an unfit 35yo when we have so many excellent bowlers. He is not that good. He had just a so, so Indian series. When Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, James Faulkner are under an injury cloud, you all want them out. It's a crazy double standard.
jameswm
Guest
So if Harris can only play 3 tests, he plays 3 tests. We just pick him when fit.
Don Freo
Guest
That's what I thought you were getting at. I agree but would suggest that many deserve selection. That is different to being entitled to selection. Players should earn it...hence deserve. No one is entitled to selection.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Just that there is no "deserve" as far as selection goes. A person is selected (ideally) on the one criteria - that they are the person best placed to contribute to a match/series victory in conjunction with the rest of the team.
Don Freo
Guest
Harris, of course, is good but he will not see out a tour. It's time to say, thank you. We have so many star quicks, we don't need to carry a two or three test player. As for Rogers, every Australian can handle English conditions...they all play there. If he is losing it, as his Shield season is suggesting, it's time for the next generation. We have plenty doing better.
13th man
Guest
Harris is an absolute shoe in. First one picked in my book. Best bowler in Australia, he is just being managed that is why he hasn't done much in shield. Rogers has vast experience in English conditions and still goes. Whether he gets replaced as opener by Burns or not depends on form
Don Freo
Guest
More please?
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
"deserve selection" = dodgy concept
Don Freo
Guest
Rogers and Harris have done nothing in the Shield season to deserve selection. Haddin has done nothing to be dropped...yet Nevill has done everything to be picked. Nevill isstill ahead of Whiteman despite Whiteman's return to his very, very classy batting form. Whiteman's keeping has always been immaculate but then so has Nevill's.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
It seemed like that wicket was a tricky one to get runs on, at least early on that first day. It'll be interesting to see how the Queenslanders reply.
13th man
Guest
Agar is certainly putting himself as the favourite to be back up spinner in England. Lots of WA boys putting themselves right up there in Voges, both Marshes, Agar, Behrendorff etc
Rellum
Roar Guru
Burns and Lynn need to put together a 400 run partnership me thinks.
13th man
Guest
Voges just so far ahead of everyone else there. Must be picked for Ashes!
13th man
Guest
This is the squad I would take to England: 1st XI 1. Warner 2. Rogers 3. Smith 4. Clarke 5. Voges (just in too good form to ignore) 6. Nevill (wk) 7. M Marsh 8. Johnson 9. Harris 10. Starc 11. Lyon Reserves: Pattinson, Hazelwood, Burns, S Marsh, Faulkner, Agar