Tonight at Adelaide, time will tell if the Aaron Finch-led Australians can clinch their first ODI series in two years.
Their shock 32-run win over India at the SCG in the first of three one-dayers was a pleasant change from the norm.
In the last two years, the defending world champions have crashed from undisputed world number one to sixth, having won just four decided ODIs in 22.
In January 2017, New Zealand won the series 2-1.
In June 2017, England won 1-0.
In September 2017, India won 4-1.
In January 2018, England won 4-1.
In June 2018, England won 5-0.
In November 2018, South Africa won 2-1.
In total, opposition 18, Australia 4 – how the mighty have fallen, with lack of runs the problem.
Let’s compare lineups, kicking off with the start of the drought – Eden Park 2017.
Steve Smith was ruled out of the tour with an ankle injury, and David Warner was rested.
The lineup – Finch (56-c), Shaun Marsh (22), Peter Handscomb (0), Travis Head (53), Glenn Maxwell (0), Marcus Stoinis a career high 146*, James Faulkner (0), Pat Cummins (27), Mitchell Starc (29), Adam Zampa (1), and Josh Hazlewood (4) – Australia lost by six runs.
Compare that to the lineup that went down by 34 runs to South Africa at Hobart in November 2017.
Aaron Finch of Australia – CA/Cricket Australia/Getty Images)
Chris Lynn (0), Finch (11-c), Shaun Marsh (106), Head (6), Stoinis (63), Alex Carey (42), Maxwell (35), Cummins (7*), Starc (0), Zampa (0), Hazlewood (0).
And to the last ODI at the SCG, the Australians won by 34.
Carey (24), Finch (6-c), Usman Khawaja (59), Shaun Marsh (54), Handscomb (73), Stoinis (47*), Maxwell (11*), Jhye Richardon (DNB), Nathan Lyon (DNB), Peter Siddle (DNB), Jason Behrendorff (DNB).
Over that two-year period covering 22 decided ODIs, batsmen Finch, Shaun Marsh, Stoinis, and Maxwell appeared in all three examples, Handscomb, Head, and Carey in two, Lynn and Khawaja in one each – hardly any movement despite loss after loss after loss.
Yet the current side could beat India, ranked world number two, with no Smith and Warner under suspension, leaving big guns Lynn, and D’Arcy Short, out of the squad, and selecting Mitchell Marsh who can’t buy a run with Siddle ending an eight-year selection drought at 34.
Go figure.
Thanks to the masterful way Cricket Australia has stuffed up the season’s scheduling, the only criteria to selecting 50-over ODI squads is via the 20-over Big Bash League.
But runs are currency in any format.
Lynn, and Short, have both been at their dynamic best in January.
Heat skipper Lynn has cracked 84 off 55, 54 off 30, and 66* off 44, for a strike rate of 158.13, with a total of 10 fours, and 13 sixes.
Hurricanes opener Short has fired with 64 off 42, and last night an unbeaten 96 off 57 for a strike rate of 161.61, with 13 fours and seven sixes.
D’Arcy Short. (Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images)
Yet they can’t be recognised, while Mitchell Marsh, and skipper Finch, who can’t buy runs at any price are in the mix.
Despite those shortcomings, and selection bungles, Australia has the chance tonight to end the rubbish, and return to the series winning mode.
In a perfect world the team would be Short and Khawaja to open, Shaun Marsh at three, Lynn four, Maxwell five, Handscomb (c) with the gloves at six, Stoinis at seven, and Finch carrying drinks.
But that’s not possible.
In the real world, Australia can wrap up the series on the proviso Khawaja opens the batting with Carey, Shaun Marsh bats three, Handscomb four, Maxwell five, Stoinis six, and Finch seven.
The rest of the order, along with the attack, looks after itself with the exception of Billy Stanlake replacing Siddle.
Let the drought be broken.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It took 3 days for you to come up with that response? The error is yours.
David Lord
Expert
It's a sad day DF when you can't admit your errors.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Read your article. You'll see just another of your errors.
anon
Roar Pro
Marsh's form is horrible. Needs a stint in the BBL and Shield, not more international cricket. Stoinis is our allrounder who can bowl half trackers. We don't need two.
anon
Roar Pro
I agree you can justify playing Mitch Marsh for ODIs, but we have players in much better form. Stoinis has claimed Marsh's spot. We don't need a second medium-pacer all rounder. We don't need to invent ways to get Marsh into the side. We found our all rounder. Stonis delivered (needs to stop wasting dot balls). We should be happy. Coach should be relieved.
anon
Roar Pro
The win was set up by our bowlers first 4 overs. India were 3 for 4. That might happen 1 in 50 matches. India then went on to build a big partnership for the next 25-30 overs. Dhoni got out to a howler of a decision. Despite going down 3 for 4 early, India still had a sniff of victory. 7/10 or 8/10 times India chase down 290 against that Aussie attack. More often than not India pile on 350 batting first. We got it all wrong putting one of if not our best batsmen in at 7. Maxi averages the SAME as Khawaja, but Maxi has a strike rate of 120 while Khawaja's is about 80. You want your best batsmen facing as many balls as possible. A 4 or 6 in the 29th over is as valuable as those scored in the 49th over.
David Lord
Expert
Which last game DF, the 11 he scored against the Heat in the BBL, or the nine and 10 he managed in his last Test against India - all up 30 runs, average 10?
Peter Warrington
Guest
one more millimetre on the arbitrary ball tracker and it was ump's call and review retained. given the length of our test innings, i think you can mount an argument for 2 reviews per side on ODIs.
Matt H
Roar Guru
DRS was available. India blew their review earlier so had none left.
Peter Warrington
Guest
With Lynn's FC average of 43 and his T20 form across seasons, I would give him more than 4 ODIs before writing him off. Smith doesn't have a 50 in his last 7 games, while striking low 60s.
Paul D
Roar Guru
Ronan wrote a piece about dot ball Darcy on here a while back - I agreed with it, he bats like Khawaja in test matches, boundaries or nothing, except Usman does it in a format with no time pressure (usually). Lynn I want to see playing for the Heat the entire BBL and agree too that he is a liability in the field in an ODI. If we want to win more games Mr Lord maybe we should give Maxwell more then 5 balls to show his wares
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Mitch Marsh was great in thst last game, wasn't he David?
Simon G
Guest
David T20 against park bowlers is still a completely different beast to ODI’s against world class bowlers. To date in their ODI careers, both Short and Lynn have failed to show that they have what it takes to warrant selection in the team. Short has averaged 27 at a strike rate of 83 while Lynn has averaged 17 at a rate of 84. Hardly numbers that scream “pick me”
Bangers N Mash
Guest
Correct me if I’m wrong Vicboy. But aren’t India opposed to DRS , so if that’s the case “ Live by the sword.
David Lord
Expert
Morning Paul, and after the first ODI loss at the SCG, India will make it a darn side hotter.
Rob
Guest
Jimmy Anderson won't be playing in the world cup and they are using the Kookaburra ball as well.
Paul
Roar Guru
The side you've chosen for the game tonight makes sense David, which is probably why it won't be used. We need more out of the 5th bowling option if we're to be competitive. The side can't afford to have one guy regularly giving up 60 runs or more and expect to win games. We also need to win the toss and bat first. It's going to be real warm in Adelaide today.
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Short's and Lynn's ODIs records are hardly earth-shattering. I have no problem with them being left out. Besides, Lynn is a liability in the field with his shoulder problem. It's less of an issue with T20 games, but I think it's a much bigger problem in the longer format.
Extra Short Leg
Roar Rookie
Mitch Marsh's ODI career numbers are ok and he seems more suited to this format than test cricket. Stands to reason - the pitches are generally hard and come onto the bat nicely. The modern white ball has a very flat seam so sideways movement is minimal. Thus, Mitch can plant his front foot and get away with it. Won't work against Jimmy Anderson and the Duke ball
Vicboy
Roar Rookie
Matthew Wade would not get picked in a game that less than a quarter of the population might see? If runs are currency, surely he bats in front of both Carey and Handscombe. Why would Mitch Marsh get a go? Doesn't bat like Stoinis or Maxwell. Doesn't get big scores. Doesn't bowl with variety etc Finch has to have some time. The selectors picking him to open in the tests against a groundswell of public opinion, Vic coach, numbers has ruined his confidence. But even then, if he can't score at home...... Gone! The current test squad gives me hope, but a clean out of selectors would not disappoint. Langer has been poor at explaining selection. The bluster to avoid answering Maxwell treatment the low light. When a new coach comes in, he has a licence to shake things up. But to talk about the love of technique and pick Handscombe and Finch; weight of runs and pick M & S Marsh and Labuschnagne; and then crack a wobbly and not answer the question about managing players... Dear oh dear By the way Dhoni not out lbw, if drs available.... we probably lose that game