Yesterday’s announcement of the ODI and T20 teams to tour England and Zimbabwe raised some interesting talking points, with continuity in the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal at the forefront of discussions.
Here are five points worth considering.
1. The ODI captaincy is in a holding pattern
Tim Paine has followed his Test captaincy selection with the top job in ODI team, though Trevor Hohns has suggested he may not be the long-term skipper in this form of the game.
No doubt the selectors have looked for a stable start to this new era, and given the reins to Paine to continue his vision of leadership and culture that began in the final Test of the South African tour. It will also give him and new coach Justin Langer the chance to bond in their positions together.
But with Aaron Finch missing out on the job, does this suggest the selectors aren’t sure he is the man to take this team to the World Cup?
2. The best-performing specialist spinner must be selected
Adam Zampa has not quite managed to do enough to hold his spot, and Ashton Agar is still a better bat and fielder than a bowler. You don’t select ‘part time’ pace bowlers in your ODI team, and it is unlikely that Travis Head or Glenn Maxwell will trouble many top flight batsmen with their versions of spin.
Specialist spinners are doing the job for other countries around the world, and Nathan Lyon has shown over the past two seasons that he is Australia’s best.
His team now needs him to do what he has been doing in the Test arena: take charge by bowling aggressively for wickets to halt the charge of the middle overs.
Nathan Lyon has a chance to stake a claim for regular ODI selection. (AFP / Jekesai Nijikizana)
3. D’Arcy Short’s rise is complete
Before last season, Short had played only five domestic one day matches over six seasons. Now, he has been fast-tracked to probably replace David Warner at the top of the order.
It will not be an easy task on the seaming English wickets, and he has been undone by spin in the IPL, although aiding his selection is his left-arm slow bowling, which has netted 16 first-class wickets and 12 one-day domestic wickets at a reasonable average.
Despite the point above about specialist spinners being required over part-timers, having more players in the team who can contribute when necessary is always a good thing.
4. Is Nic Maddinson’s selection a sign of the changing world of cricket?
Maddinson has lost his state contract, but while his BBL figures were reasonable – with 291 runs at 32.33 in ten games during BBL07, at a strike rate of 145.50 – are we going to have more players chosen in the national T20 set-up who only have Big Bash contracts?
It’s feasible to ask, as fellow non-contracted player Chris Lynn failed to be chosen in either squad, despite having been in both teams in January, only to fall victim to injury on both occasions.
Lynn has been playing IPL and proven his fitness, but now appears on the outer again. It is a selection process that is difficult to follow at times.
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5. Alex Carey’s selection cements his own rise into national colours
While picked as a specialist batsman in the ODI squad, and as keeper and vice-captain in the T20 squad, he has been impressive in his short stint so far, and looks to have been anointed as the next keeper following Tim Paine.
That his leadership skills have been recognised so early also suggests that perhaps future leaders are being sought from outside of the tightknit squad of recent years – from which a change in culture is thought to be required.
Stephen
Guest
Not having khawaja there doesn't help, he should have been included
JamesH
Roar Guru
All three were in fantastic white-ball form before the IPL. Maxwell was man of the series in the tri-series against NZ and England. Don't read too much into a few failures on Indian pitches. Finch loves playing the old enemy.
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
With the poor form of Short, Finch and Maxwell, Australian batting line-up looks very weak. England will beat this team by 4-1 or 5-0 for sure.
Stephen
Guest
Khawaja should have made it, absurd decsion and one that was not justified in the conference
JamesH
Roar Guru
To be fair, he's run himself out cheaply twice in five knocks, and made a 50 in one of the other three. It's a bit hard to get a real read on him so far. Spin won't be as much of a factor against England anyway.
JamesH
Roar Guru
"Ashton Agar is still a better bat and fielder than a bowler" No no no no no. Did you watch the recent T20I tri-series??? Agar is a superb fielder and a handy lower order batsman but he has also shown in the last 12 months that he is a classy short-form bowler, with a future at test level too. His economy rate puts every other option in the shade and he thoroughly deserves his spot. I can't believe that this is even up for debate. Lyon should be the backup ODI spinner, with him or Zampa as the T20 backup.
Paul
Roar Guru
1) The next 12 months for the ODI side is a chance for selectors to try different options and Paine as an international 50 over captain is one of these experiments. Finch might well get the nod for the World Cup but why not give Paine a chance for a few games? 2) I suggest Lyon was picked solely on a "horses for courses" deal. As Hohn's pointed out, he expects the Poms will name a lot of left handers in their ODI squad and Lyon is the best spinner to attack these guys in Australian cricket. 3) and Short's fall could be just as complete if he doesn't perform a Dave Warner type role and get Australia off to flying starts. He needs both big scores but also confident ones. If he has a weakness against spin, for example, the Poms will exploit that for sure. 4) Obviously the selectors see something in Maddinson and good luck to him. I hope the takes his chances but again, he's no lock to stay in the squad unless he performs. 5) I think you've read too much into Carey's selection. Keepers tend to be natural leaders on the field and he's good in that role. What he needs to do is manage the pressure of keeping and the demands of batting at international level. Again, his place and role in the teams are an experiment.
BrainsTrust
Guest
Its a bad one day squad because the major Australian problem is they select too many bowling options, its about efficiency and maximising your batting, Only six bowling options should be chosen, change the mix for those six bowling options, specialists vs all rounders vs part timers but don't include 8 of them.. T20 squad for Zimbabwe, are you serious saying Lynn has been snubbed, Zimbabwe tour means you put in the expendables. if you look at the IPL Shane Watson is out best batsman, and not bad bowling either now he is going to be short of money with a massive IPl salary cut, maybe time to bring him back into the fold for a short while with a bit of money, and fix up the issue that those on contracts are millionaires even if they don't play a match, but those who are not on contract and play more matches get a fraction of the money.
Ryan Geer
Roar Pro
Dropping Lynn is a big call, one of the best strikers in World Cricket especially in T20. I know injuries have let him down lately but if he’s fit and available he would be one of my first selected. Not many players have his ability to change the course of a match in 2-3 overs.
JayG
Guest
D'Arcy Short was next to useless against spin in the IPL...
KenoathCarnt
Guest
I like Carey but you cant have both Carey and Paine in the same starting team. I get they want a second keeper but if that is the case pick Handscomb seeing as he is a decent player of spin for the middle overs. Agar's selection was justified for the fact that he can't be any worse then Zampa and adds much needed batting depth. I want Lyon in the side but at the end of the day Australia's ODI batting has been sub par and that depth is needed if this wasn't the case then sure pick Lyon. If Cummins and Starc were in the team then that gives enough batting depth to have Lyon. Short's selection for me was welcomed he can add great aggression in the powerplay and is much better then a part time spinner which is great in case Stoinis or whomever is getting some tap. I dont know why Khawaja didn't make it he is amazing in the short form and could open which gives him some time at the crease before spin. I dont even know what to make of this ODI tbh without Warner and Smith this side is hopeless and no STARC!! Reverse swing is the main reason why Pakistan domimated the Champions Trophy thanks to Hasan Ali and Amir as well as quality spin terrible shame he is injured he could of given us hope. I like Stanlake but he is currently injured for Sunrisers so i don't know how he got picked lol or if he can even hold up in ODI. Maxwell needs to come in 6 near the end that is where he is most effective.