The form of Australian ODI captain Aaron Finch remains a concern heading into Australia’s ODI series against Pakistan, the side’s last competitive hit-out before the World Cup.
Since taking over the captaincy in November, Finch has averaged just 22 from 11 innings, passing 50 just once.
If Finch fails to perform, the selectors will be left with a very difficult decision to make on the eve of the World Cup.
Back an out-of-form captain going into a World Cup, or pick a new captain just before the World Cup.
If Finch were to be dropped, there wouldn’t be many options to replace him as captain.
From the current team, there are only three viable options for captaincy: Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb and Glenn Maxwell.
The issue with Handscomb and Khawaja is they’ve only recently become regular members of the Australian ODI team.
While the issue with Maxwell is his lack of captaincy experience, he has had one season captaining his IPL team the Kings XI, and captained the Melbourne Stars in the most recent Big Bash season.
None of the three have any experience captaining at international level.
Alex Carey is also a concern. His batting has been average without being outstanding. His wicketkeeping has become a bit of a problem. He has missed multiple chances over the last couple of games.
The solution to both the captain and wicket-keeper position is simple. Tim Paine.
(Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Paine is certainly the best wicketkeeper in Australia. He is also a very good captain.
If Finch and Carey fail against Pakistan, Tim Paine should be the man to lead Australia at the World Cup.
The team would have Usman Khawaja opening the batting with David Warner.
Steve Smith, Handscomb and Marcus Stoinis bat three, four and five. Maxwell would bat No.6, and could be pushed higher up the order depending on the circumstances.
Ashton Agar should get the nod ahead of Nathan Lyon as the second spinner because of his superior batting. He would bat seven, with Paine batting No.8.
Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa should round out the eleven.
Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jhye Richardson would be the reserve fast bowlers, D’Arcy Short would be the reserve all-rounder and Aaron Finch the reserve batsman.
Potential World Cup Team
1. David Warner
2. Usman Khawaja
3. Steve Smith
4. Peter Handscomb (vice-captain)
5. Marcus Stoinis
6. Glenn Maxwell (vice-captain)
7. Ashton Agar
8. Tim Paine (captain and wicketkeeper)
9. Pat Cummins
10. Mitch Starc
11. Adam Zampa
Reserves
Nathan Coulter-Nile
Jhye Richardson
D’Arcy Short
Aaron Finch
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I do recall and this is just off the top of my head Carey dropping was it Miller or Du Plessis in the previous ODI series against SA. It was a regulation keepers catch and was decisive in the match outcome, even possibly the series outcome.
DTM
Guest
Trouble is Finch is a natural leader. I have no issues with his captaincy but I'm not convinced he deserves his spot in the team based on his form during the India tour. I predict he will get a couple of good scores in the UAE and then go on to captain Aus in the WC. The issue with Carey's batting seems to be that he's not prepared to take risks - this comes down to coaching. He needs to be understnad that there are times when you need to rotate the strike and there are times that you need to throw the kitchen sink at it - if he cant do that then he bats below Starc, Cummins, Richardson and Coulter-Nile (whoever plays). His keeping is not as good as Paine but I'm not sure Tim would be any better with the bat. As well as dropping Kohli off Maxwell, he dropped Rohit - off Zampa. Seems he has a problem with the spinners as he snatches at the ball.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Finch should GIVE back the captaincy to Paine. This would not be unprecedented. When AB de Villiers was made captain of South Africa it did not sit well with him. He too experienced a slump in form. He voluntarily relinquished it to his old High School classmate Faf Du Plessis who in turn experienced an upturn in form. Not everyone are natural leaders. No shame in saying so.
Josh H
Roar Rookie
Cute idea, but we could only bat him up top as a foil to Warner - which weakens the batting when we already have Khawaja, Marsh and Finch in that position - or as a no.8 or 9 - which weakens the bowling, as it lends itself to pick only 3 specialist bowlers and have part-timers bowl the remaining 20 overs. Can't see it happening, sorry
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Statistics don’t lie. The problem lies within the way they are presented.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Approaching Garfield's numbers. Sobering thoughts.
AaronL
Roar Rookie
How can anyone replace uzzie after the Indian series??
Noah Barling
Roar Pro
Paine in one-dayers is as useful as t*ts on a bull.
VivGilchrist
Roar Rookie
Not Bancroft.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
And they all made some runs, although their best WK,who didn't keep, ended up with MotM against the Tigers
U
Roar Rookie
Gotch? No. I prefer the idea of coverting Handscomb and Bancroft to permanent keeper batsmen with Cameron going into test side once Paine retires or his dropped and Handscomb being the limited overs keeper. I don’t think any of the specialist keepers of the domestic sides at the moment are good enough with the bat. We can’t have people averaging in the 20s with the fragility of the batting order the last few years.
redbackfan
Roar Rookie
you're the guy putting gotch in your teams and bagging all the keepers? give it a rest
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I suppose it was easy to carry him thru that period (Warne, Pigeon, Dizzy, Hayden, Langer, S Waugh, Ponting, Healy/Gilly). Like for like we have no-one close except for Warne/Lyon. —- Still, l have V Richardson / I Chappell / S Waugh mindset. Take no prisoners!
jeznez
Roar Guru
:D that is what I was referring to, he also captained very well through that period. I initially supported the idea of keeping him in the side and he eventually came good in '98 but gee I was down on faith during '97 1996 - avg. 23.4 1997 - avg. 29.33 1998 - avg, 58.53
U
Roar Rookie
It is amazing how Wade’s bowling has come along. 8 wickets at under 30
U
Roar Rookie
That’s my problem with Carey. He can get you a 20 or 30 at a run a ball but won’t hit big shots or go past 50. Or even achieve 50. It unbalances the team.
U
Roar Rookie
93 in one innings doesn’t make up for the poor form for the last few months
U
Roar Rookie
I disagree completely. People already want Carey dropped because of his mediocre at best batting. Paine is only solid as an opener in domestic one dayers. Those two spots are filled. He’s not an accumulator or a big hitter. Basically a poor man’s Carey. Even less balance in the side
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. And if you are referring to carrying Tubby for so long l didn’t agree with how long we kept him. But his saving grace was that he did average around 50 thru that centuryless period.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Tell that to Tubby Taylor!