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The Australian ODI team needs an all-rounder at No.8

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Roar Guru
16th January, 2019
16

The Australian cricket team batted well during Tuesday’s ODI against India, and towards the end of the Australian innings it looked like the home side were on target for at least 320.

However, following the dismissals of Glenn Maxwell and Shaun Marsh, Australia were able to get to only 298. Another 20 runs could’ve won them the game.

Australia clearly need an all-rounder to bat at eight in the ODI team to bolster the batting line-up. Here’s a look at some of the options.

James Faulkner

ODI record
Batting: 1032 runs at 34.40, strike rate of 104.26.
Bowling: 96 wickets at 30.65, economy of 5.53.
List A record
Batting: 1936 runs at 30.25, strike rate of 91.45.
Bowling: 168 wickets at 30.36, economy of 5.35.

Four years ago James Faulkner was one of the stars of Australian cricket and was the man of the match in the 2015 World Cup final. He lost his national contract at the end of the 2016-17 season and was recalled for two ODIs in late 2017 but hasn’t played for Australia since.

He missed the JLT Cup because of injury but has bowled fairly well for the Hurricanes in the Big Bash League, taking ten wickets at 20.10 going at 8.04 runs an over. He has had limited opportunities with the bat because of the quality of the Hurricanes top order. Faulkner deserves another chance to play for Australia.

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Michael Neser

ODI record
Batting: 8 runs at 4, strike rate of 50.
Bowling: 2 wickets at 60, economy of 7.2.
List A record
Batting: 567 runs at 23.62, strike rate of 84.88.
Bowling: 49 wickets at 36.61, economy of 5.33.

Neser made his ODI debut during Australia’s tour of England in June and did not perform, although he was probably picked because of his Sheffield Shield form, not his one-day form, which isn’t particularly good. He isn’t a realistic option for the Australian one-day team.

Ashton Agar

ODI record
Batting: 144 runs at 20.57, strike rate of 86.74.
Bowling: 8 wickets at 51.75, economy of 5.75.
List A record
Batting: 603 runs at 23.19, strike rate of 93.19.
Bowling: 47 wickets at 34.95, economy of 5.02.

Ashton Agar has been around the Australian one-day team for a number of years but has never really had an opportunity to cement a spot. He has got a good economy rate but doesn’t take enough wickets to be considered a frontline spinner. Agar should only play if Australia play two spinners.

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Daniel Sams

List A record
Batting: 152 runs at 38, strike rate of 116.92.
Bowling: 9 wickets at 22.44, economy of 5.13.

Sams made his one-day debut for New South Wales only this season and made an immediate impression, making two 50s from his four innings. He also took nine wickets. He is definitely a player Australia should consider picking.

Cameron Valente

List A record
Batting: 471 runs at 31.40, strike rate of 78.50.
Bowling: 29 wickets at 30.31, economy of 5.53.

In 2016 Cameron Valente was the leading wicket-taker in the one-day cup and also scored a century. He scored another century in 2017 but struggled in 2018. Remarkably Valente hasn’t been picked in an Australian squad or even an Australia A squad. Valente shouldn’t be picked to play for Australia at the moment but is certainly worth picking in an Australia A squad.

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