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.
Series predictions
Result: South Africa win 2-1
Player of the series: Quinton de Kock (SA)
Most runs (Aus): Aaron Finch
Most wickets (Aus): Pat Cummins
Tornado
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the feedback James, what you are saying I can definitely sense with, and would make tweaks to the article if I could. The language could be seen as a tad exaggerative, and will keep in mind for my next article. Cheers
AREH
Roar Guru
I'd have Lynn in there, even if his 50-over abilities are far from as proven as his T20 stuff. He also only played domestic 50-over cricket this year for the first time in five years, and his tournament included scores of 70, 106*, 58, 135* and 68. If England's radical approach to 50-over dominance has shown us anything, you need as much hitting power as you can get.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Out of that squad I'd be looking at the team being: Finch Short Marsh Head Maxwell Stoinis Carey NCN Two of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood Zampa For me, Lynn simply hasn't done enough to be considered. Finch and S Marsh have both been in good ODI form over the past 12 months and Short appears to be the one they are grooming as opener. Head is there to be the middle overs anchor, with Maxwell and Stoinis to provide the fireworks. Stoinis, Maxwell and Head to provide the 5th bowler overs. This is tough on Agar and I would be just as happy with him replacing Zampa or even one of the pace bowlers, or even Short with everyone moving up one. As for the pace bowling attack, I'd like NCN to play every game to keep our test bowlers as fresh as possible.
JamesH
Roar Guru
The Marsh boys both have much better ODI records than Paine. I don't think we should be dropping them based on a poor test series in Asia, especially with Khawaja unavailable. I'd like to see Carey open as a pinch-hitter because he bats well against the new ball: Carey Finch Head S Marsh M Marsh/Stoinis Maxwell Agar NCN Cummins Hazlewood/Starc Zampa 5 bowlers is a risk but Agar, NCN and Cummins are all very capable with the bat. Starc is in our best side but I'd be rotating our four quicks to reduce their workload.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I take your points, Nado, but the 'personal hatred' thing is unlikely to affect the ODI series. No Smith, no Warner. Starc might be harbouring some resentment towards the likes of de Kock or Rabada but that's a bit of a stretch. The line I don't understand is "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." In what way? There has only been one match between the sides since that incident, which by all accounts was a bit of a soulless affair after the fire in the first three tests. Add to this the fact that SA have publicly said the ball-tampering incident will be a no-go as far as sledging is concerned and I can't see this being an unusually heated series. As for the actual cricket, I think this will be a tight, low-scoring contest. Both sides have strong bowling lineups and wafer-thin batting. Australia is without Smith and Warner but SA has lost AB and Amla. Each side will be relying on a couple of experienced players to fire (e.g. Finch and Maxwell, du Plessis and de Kock).
Tornado
Roar Rookie
Agreed Brasstax, I do think SA will just edge us out though!
Tornado
Roar Rookie
Hey Dutski, cheers for the comments. It is a bit of a strange one I agree. I'm of the opinion that if Agar plays, he will bat 7 or 8. With that, wherever he bats, Carey will bat one higher than him. I do also understand your point regarding dropping Paine but keeping the Marsh bros. However, I do believe that Shan should probably retain his spot given his red hot white ball form before touring the UAE. His Sheffield Shield form over the last couple of days has also been positive. Cheers
Tornado
Roar Rookie
Can confirm that wasn't me - was an editor when they changed my title :/
Dutski
Roar Guru
Hey Nado Welcome to the ranks. Just looking at the batting lineup it looks like a good mix of youth and experience. I like Finch at the top of the order for sure. Where to bat Carey will be a big question. S Marsh has done well opening in one day matches, so do you bat Carey down the order for some lower order punch? I note Tim Paine has a ridiculously low batting average in recent series and has been replaced by a youngster. But we keep S Marsh and M Marsh for experience despite even worse numbers in the Test team. Go figure.
Stu
Roar Rookie
Fix your headline mate, and certainly proof read before posting.
Brasstax
Guest
In the absence of Warner i would term this as a close series between 2 very average batting and good bowling sides.
Brasstax
Guest
The SA team batting wise is bog average since DeVilliers retirement as India showed by wiping the floor with them in their own conditions some months back and DeVilliers featured in 3 of those 5 games and he wont be there now. Their bowling is great though.
Tornado
Roar Rookie
Hi Paul. Whilst I respect your opinion, I do think you have completely misread some of my points. I believe most people would agree with me if I was to say that the ball-tampering scandal was quite possibly the most controversial incident (in its media coverage) in modern day cricket. As a result, the players actions affected their line-up and presence on the field drastically, and somewhat fatal. I also do think that there is a personal hatred between de Kock and Warner; you don't give out the reactions Warner did if you didn't at the very least strongly dislike someone. Again, I think that was a comment where many would agree. One of your final points you have simply misread. It clearly outlines that I think that the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker for AUSTRALIA will be Finch and Cummins respectively. So there's something for you :)
Paul
Roar Guru
The first three paragraphs of this piece are complete rubbish. The Australian Test side did not "fatally" do anything in South Africa. Three guys did something stupid and their paying for this incident. Move on. As for your comment about "personal hatred from previous incidents...." Are you for real? Who personally hates who? Warner might not be on de Kocks Christmas card list & vice versa while Radaba might have a few scores to settle, but personal hatred? I notice you make zero mention of the players missing from their side but have decided they'll win the series 2-1 based on 3 players, even though you think Finch will make most runs and Cummins take most wickets. All in all, a very strange article