Having named my 16-man squad for the 2019 World Cup yesterday, here are the players who may be a tad stiff to miss out but don’t quite appear up to scratch.
Adam Zampa
Zampa might have run his race at international level for now. He wasn’t terrible in the first two ODIs, however he looked to be bowling defensively for singles and wasn’t threatening.
Zampa has a decent record in ODI cricket, however it has tailed off of late, and the fact he doesn’t really turn his leg break makes him a limited commodity on flat and hard wickets.
Tim Paine
Paine is an outstanding wicketkeeper and has looked classy and composed at the crease this summer, making a number of key contributions. However he should be kept fresh for Tests.
His body has let him down a fair bit and, as a number seven in ODI cricket, his power game and ability to score boundaries are limited.
Andrew Tye
Tye does his best work at the death of T20 games, when batsmen are trying to score ten runs per over. He does have great variations, but he isn’t a genuine wicket-taker in the longer formats.
Cameron White
I feel sorry for White, who was recalled but never given a clear role. He carried the drinks, before batting at number seven, then at three in Sydney.
With Steve Smith moving to four, Australia are going to look for a more explosive first drop and, although White remains a class player, his recall could be short-lived.
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Chris Lynn
Lynn’s injuries are concerning, however if he gets himself fully fit, you can’t leave a player as explosive as him out of the touring party.
Lynn has been a monster in the Big Bash the past couple of years, but has not played much cricket outside of that through injuries. With a T20 strike rate of 148, Lynn only has to come off once every three or four games to be a match winner, and selectors will persist with him.
D’Arcy Short
Has been phenomenal in BBL07, breaking a record by scoring over 500 runs so far. I just need to see more from him in 50-over cricket to elevate him into this side, however he tick plenty of boxes so it wouldn’t be at all surprising if the selectors went that way.
Shaun Marsh
A very good white-ball player but, at 34 years of age, his body doesn’t need to be running around in the field in 50-over cricket.
Australia can get two or three more good years out of Marsh in Tests, and I would keep him fresh for that. He is a risk in a tournament format with injuries.
Jhye Richardson
A good, young fast bowler who did really well on debut the other night. However, his BBL bowling suggests he can go around the park, and I couldn’t fit him in.
Eddie Otto
Roar Guru
Will I admit I am unsure mate, if it is 15 or 16. I will have a look into it. Sorry.
Eddie Otto
Roar Guru
Mate just to be clear i didn't write "they are not up to scratch" that was added in by the editors entirely. Originally this was all one article, however it was selected into 2 with this little intro paragraph that i didn't write.
Will W QOS
Roar Pro
+1 Still trying to confirm that there will now be 16 in the squad and not 15 - it has been a squad of 15 the past 2 World Cups - 16 would be nice - would like them to be able to take a Darcy Short or Weatherald...
JamesH
Roar Guru
Eddie, you've got some sound reasons for leaving these guys out of your squad (at this point in time) but a few of those reasons don't align with your opening paragraph about 'not being up to scratch'. I don't know how Short or Lynn can be not up to scratch if we haven't seen enough of them to judge! I'd love Australia to use some of those 31 ODIs - including these next two dead rubbers - to properly experiment with the side and give guys like Lynn, Short, Turner, Carey/Whiteman, Agar, Richardson and Stanlake a decent crack, injury permitting. If it means squeezing Smith out of the side and handing the reins to Finch or Warner then so be it. I'd also like to see them play around with the batting order too (e.g. Maxwell or M Marsh at 3, Carey opening, Warner at 5). The only spots in the top 7 that seem a lock to me right now are Finch opening and Stoinis at 6/7.