The Australian ODI squad for next month’s upcoming series against South Africa has been named, and for good reason it has many people talking.
Ever since the infamous ball-tampering scandal of March this year the rivalry between the two nations has gone up to a whole new level. As a result this series will mean more than just players vying for a position in the Test team to play India in December – there is a personal hatred bred from previous incidents that will now cross over into the matches against South Africa for years to come.
Players in the ODI squad such as Mitchell Starc, Shaun Marsh, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins were all in the Test team that was fatally found to have ball-tampered, leading to the suspension of Cam Bancroft, David Warner and Steven Smith. If there was ever an extra incentive to beat South Africa at home, this is it.
Australian ODI squad
Aaron Finch (c), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, D’Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
The biggest talking point so far is the omission of Tim Paine, who up until today was the one-day team captain. However, the omission is no surprise statistically. The one-day series played earlier this year in England left Paine with a measly series batting average of 7.2, digits that are essentially unmissable.
Instead the selectors opted for current frontrunner Alex Carey to replace Paine. This selection gives the South Australian a great chance to stamp his authority on the international stage and potentially call first dibs on the position Paine will leave in the Test team once he retires. His keeping has been talked about in high regard by the likes of Ian Healy and Brad Haddin for years now, while his batting also showed signs of promise in last season’s T20 Big Bash League.
The batsmen selected in this upcoming series have all had recent international experience in the one-day arena of late, with reappointed skipper Aaron Finch arguably the most in-form batsmen of them all. Either D’Arcy Short or Travis Head is likely to open up top with him, and Chris Lynn is almost certain to round out the top order at No.3.
From there, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Ashton Agar will be vying for positions four to six. Alex Carey will be kept at the traditional wicketkeepers position of No.7 and rounds out the recognised batters in the XI. The obvious exclusions of David Warner and Steven Smith have hurt the experience in the white-ball team, but arguably they can be matched in presence by their replacements.
(Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
The bowling cartel for the series is likely to be rested and rotated at times, exclusively to preserve the workloads of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for the upcoming Test series. This process will give Nathan Coulter-Nile a great opportunity to push his case to be a regular one-day player in the future as well as work his way up the pecking order to replace one of the fast-bowling cartel when injury strikes.
Adam Zampa at this stage is likely to retain his place in the team for the first one-day match, but his place is not certain. History suggests that selectors will not hesitate to replace an underperforming Zampa and alternatively play Ashton Agar at No.8 as the main spinner. Part-timers Travis Head and the (arguably) underused Glenn Maxwell are also more than capable of rushing through the overs when needed.
The three-match series kicks off on 4 November and will undoubtedly bring about both fiery and heated exchanges between the two teams. South Africa’s team is as strong as ever, with players such as Kagiso Rabada, Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis all matchwinners recognised worldwide for their specialties.
The Australian side will no doubt be under pressure to perform and at the very very least create a competitive series between two global cricket powerhouses.
Result: South Africa win 2-1
Player of the series: Quinton de Kock (SA)
Most runs (Aus): Aaron Finch
Most wickets (Aus): Pat Cummins
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