NSW all-rounder Moises Henriques must be in contention for an international recall as Australia battle with injuries ahead of flying to the Caribbean this month for a limited overs tour.
Australia have injury concerns for that tour, with skipper Steve Smith, leading all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and in-form seamer John Hastings all ruled out of the rest of the Indian Premier League season.
Hastings already has been scrubbed from the tri-series against the West Indies and South Africa, which starts for Australia with a match against the Windies in Providence on June 5.
The burly bowling all-rounder had been brilliant since returning to the national team last September after a four-year absence. In his last eight ODIs, Hastings grabbed 16 wickets at an average of 22, and underscored his valuable batting with a match-winning 48* against New Zealand in February. He also was sensational in the domestic one-day competition last summer, grabbing 12 wickets at 23 to go with 106 runs at 21.
His Victorian teammate Scott Boland was drafted into Australia’s squad for the Caribbean as his replacement. That was a surprise selection, with Boland having struggled badly since making his international debut last summer, taking just five wickets at 85 in his eight limited overs matches.
Boland was added to Australia’s 16-man squad for this seven-match ODI tour, which includes youngsters Travis Head and Adam Zampa, plus returning superstar quick Mitchell Starc.
Marsh and Smith both were named in that squad but now will have to prove their fitness. That pair both suffered injuries in the past week while playing for the Rising Pune Supergiants in the IPL.
After a poor start to the IPL, Smith had unearthed a rich vein of form, cracking 45, 101* and 46* in his past three matches.
Marsh also had been effective for the Supergiants. Although he hadn’t been required to have a major impact with the bat, the 24-year-old continued to impress with his lively seam bowling, taking 4-45 from nine overs across his three matches.
Marsh was ruled out of the rest of the IPL after being injured while training.
“He had scans in India that suggest he has a side strain injury and will now return home for further assessment and treatment ahead of the tour of the West Indies,” Kontouris told Fairfax media.
“Once we have a better understanding of the extent of the injury we will be able to advise on his return to play timeframes.”
With the recent retirement of veteran Shane Watson, Marsh had been cemented as Australia’s number six in ODIs. If he is unable to tour the Caribbean, Henriques would be his obvious replacement.
A hard-striking batsman and accurate seamer, Henriques has played just six ODIs since making his debut as a 22-year-old almost seven years ago.
He has since matured into a reliable player with great leadership qualities. Henriques was in blazing touch with the bat in last summer’s domestic one-dayers, piling on 252 runs at 63, at close to a run-a-ball. His international opportunities have been scarce because of the presence of Watson and the emergence of Marsh, but he looked comfortable in his few limited-overs outings for Australia.
Smith, meanwhile, had to leave the IPL because of an ongoing problem with wrist soreness. Kontouris said his condition would be assessed ahead of the tour of the Caribbean. Australia will hope that don’t enter that tri-series with three big losses in Smith, Marsh and Hastings.
Australia squad for ODI Tour of the West Indies
Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), George Bailey, Scott Boland, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa
dan ced
Guest
Nah, I'd put Klinger in there, not Henriques.
World in Cricket
Guest
@ TCL - I'm not a fan of Boland either but at least we have Starc back which is great news
World in Cricket
Guest
@ Paul D - what a load of rubbish ! Henriques is definitely the man to replace an injured Marsh. He has got better as a player each year and is mature enough and talented enough to fill that role
BurgyGreen
Guest
Is Pattinson still injured? Rather him than Boland, he might leak a few but at least he offers more than short-of-a-length, gun-barrel straight sharpish mediums.
Chris
Guest
Yeah i can see Warner as a poor mans Warne in that regard. I think Warne would have been a great captain, dont think Warner is in that class cricketing brain wise but still alot smarter about cricket than other things. Though as far as captaining goes Ponting had the easiest job in the world 'hmm defending 500 do i give the ball to Mcgrath or Warne' was the most difficult it got.
craig swanson
Guest
If Hastings is out I would be talking up Kane Richardson if he is deemed fit after yet another lengthy injury layoff. He is one of the best opening and death bowlers we have in short format cricket. He can also chip in with handy late order runs as the Duke does on occasions.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Did you miss an indented Warner? I'd be more than happy with them plucking a talented rookie from the ranks and giving him a go. Just so long as they don't take Henriques because he hasn't done anywhere near enough to win his place back.
craig swanson
Guest
You only picked 10 players. How Wade was picked is beyond me. Why not try someone young and new like Sam Whiteman? I watched some footage of Steve Smith's leggies back in 2011. He landed them very nicely as well as spun them big..with some practice he could do so again. Then we would not have to keep picking these moderate part time spin options just because they can hold a bat.
craig swanson
Guest
Bloody IPL. Our blokes are going down like flies. Casper. Another joker jealous of Blues selection. Why do you blokes not give it a rest. Henriquez was given a rougher time than James Hopes. Dumped after three tests in that spinning graveyard we call India. He has now matured and when fit is one of the best all rounders we have. I too was impressed by the Wilderbeest last season. But steady on it was his first domestic season. Needs a little more time. I like Hilton Cartwright from WA. He looks classy with the bat and handy with the ball. Marcus Stoinis likewise.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I'm available. Not much of a Cricketer, but if Boland gets a run, I've got have a sniff!
BurgyGreen
Guest
Maxwell counts as an actual batsman in my opinion. I guess what we really need is a half-decent keeper-batsman.
Paul D
Roar Guru
But if you play another bowler then you've only got 4 actual batsmen. I don't believe in stacking the side full of all-rounders. Head/Smith/Maxwell can easily combine for 10 overs.
BurgyGreen
Guest
I think that team needs another bowler. Smith could fill some overs but I don't think Head is a serious option. Maybe batting at 7 will give Faulkner more of an opportunity to rediscover his form.
Casper
Guest
Not another NSW international, haven't you got someone running around in grade cricket down there to put up 2 candidates. Must be a more suitable allrounder elsewhere, Qld rookie Jack Wildermuth will make people take notice this season. I reckon James Hopes wishes he'd got the opportunities given to a few others like Henriques. Ever consistent in all facets of the game, he never got a reasonable run at it.
The Bush
Roar Guru
He's captaining his IPL team right now isn't he? They're just outside the top 4 I think. Wouldn't surprise me to find out Warner is a bit like Warnie, not exactly a rocket scientist off the field, but a good cricket brain on it.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Looks about right to me. Shame Wade has to be there. Anyone would be better. Really, the Windies are so pathetic that you could have Faulker bat at 7 and play more bowlers and you'd be fine. Besides, Starc's no mug with the bat.
Paul D
Roar Guru
James Faulkner, even in the lousy form he's in. Warner Finch Khawaja Smith Maxwell Head Wade (not really, but he's the only choice apparently) Faulkner Starc Hazelwood Zampa West Indies pitches aren't exactly fast bowling paradises anymore. Maxwell/Head/Zampa combine for 20 overs between them. There's your side.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
So if Marsh is out....which batting all-rounder who bowls pace would you prefer?
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
If Smith can't play some or all the matches, it'll be interesting to see what Warner's like as a captain. I know he's done it before at other levels but I can't say I've seen him captain. I imagine he'd do a pretty good job. It's nice to see Lyon and Zampa in this squad. I think Boland deserved a stay of execution, so I don't mind his selection - even if he isn't the one I would have gone for. The fact that Wade is in this squad suggests they might use Nevill as the pilot solution - in that they pilot him into the team whenever a World Cup is coming. As for Henriques, recent history suggests the only likely alternative might be Stoinis.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Oh Lord, anyone but Boland, please!