With Australia safely through to the final eight of the Cricket World Cup, attention turns to the make-up of the side for the upcoming games.
A date with Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval looms for the tournament co-hosts, who have experimented slightly with the side throughout the tournament.
Figurative gun to my head, the below is the eleven I would take into the do or die contest with a very capable, but inconsistent, Pakistan side.
1. David Warner
You simply cannot leave Warner out of one Australian cricket side these days, no matter what the format. He can take a game away from any opposition in a matter of 10 overs. He is Australia’s top run scorer in the tournament with 264 runs at an average of 66.
His score of 178 against Afghanistan was as close to a perfect innings as you can get. His fielding is also absolutely world class.
2. Aaron Finch
Finch has been hot and cold during the tournament, but like Warner, he can take a game away from any opposition on his day. Started the tournament with a supreme knock of 135 against England, but has fallen away since. Is due for a big one.
3. Steve Smith
Smith hasn’t been able to boss the tournament like he did the Test series, but still has 176 runs at 44. Hopefully he won’t be required to bat while the ball is new, but I would elevate Clarke to three if one of the openers was dismissed in the first ten overs as Smith’s middle order batting is almost second to none.
4. Michael Clarke
127 runs at 42 is a great return considering the circumstances. Clarke has moved down the order, and even stepped aside to allow the lower order hitters to come in depending on the status of the game. Has captained well and can chime in with a few overs if the wicket is spinning. An automatic selection.
5. Shane Watson
Earlier in the tournament I would not have selected Watson at all, but down the order I believe Watson is an asset. He has bowled well without taking a bag of wickets so far in the competition and has fielded well.
Watson has struggled with the new ball and has looked far more assured down the order. I would select him in front of Bailey, who hasn’t played since Clarke has been passed fit.
6. Glenn Maxwell
Came into the tournament under huge pressure but is now impossible to leave out. Australia’s second highest run scorer with 257 with an average of just under 65. He’s also chimed in with three wickets and has been lethal in the field.
Maxwell is the kind of player who, on his day, can do it all by himself. His reputation and ability warrant selection. Most importantly, so does his form.
7. James Faulkner
It’s dangerous to name three all-rounders but you can’t leave Faulkner out. His match winning exploits are well documented with bat and bowl. He hasn’t been called upon to win a game yet with the bat but he’s a great weapon to have in the armoury.
His death bowling will also be key against the established sides. Mitch Marsh offers an attractive option, but Faulkner’s variety with the ball, and death bowling, earn him a spot in the side.
8. Brad Haddin
A no brainer, Haddin is the best option at wicket keeper, not to mention his ability with the bat. His late cameo against New Zealand gave the Aussies something to bowl at, when it looked as though they’d be defending a score of 100 or so.
He is capable of piling on fast runs in the late overs, which against the likes of India and South Africa could be the difference between winning and losing.
9. Mitchell Johnson
Although Johnson has only taken nine wickets during the tournament, there is absolutely no doubt he has contributed to many more. At his best he is unplayable and can intimidate a batsman like no one else in the game.
His average of just a touch over 22 is nothing to shake your head at, which shows just how good a bowler Johnson is, considering he has probably been below his best. His lower order hitting could be match winning.
10. Mitchell Starc
Without a doubt Australia’s best bowler during the competition, and arguably the bowler of the tournament to date. He has taken 16 wickets at an average of eight and a half. The fact he is the competition’s leading wicket taker despite rain robbing him of a sixth game proves how dangerous he has been.
His 6/28 against New Zealand would have been match winning figures on any other day. His 4/14 against Scotland was also top shelf. Very handy with the bat.
11. Pat Cummins
Australia’s third seemer, Cummins edges out Hazlewood. He is a little faster than his competition, and is better with the old ball. Has five wickets in his two games thus far.
Will likely open with Starc as he offers a different angle than both the left handers. Can go for a bit of tap, but always threatens to take wickets. With Maxwell and Clarke available to bowl spin, I would definitely name three quicks, and Cummins is slightly ahead of Hazlewood.
Three seamers, three all-rounders, no front line spin option. Australia will have to attack, attack, attack during the coming games if they want to be there at the ‘G for the final, but the side above will get them there.
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