Australia’s bowling attack is looking dangerous and well balanced as they enter the World Cup, having limited Sri Lanka to 239 last night in their final warm-up match in England.
While there has been heavy focus on the makeup of Australia’s top six, and the returns of batting stars David Warner and Steve Smith, their attack has quietly built some fine momentum.
Australia’s bowlers have been a driving force during their remarkable run of 13 wins from their past 14 one day matches.
So it was again last night as Adam Zampa (2-39 from nine overs), Pat Cummins (1-23 from eight overs), Mitchell Starc (1-38 from nine overs) and Glenn Maxwell (1-14 from five overs) all bowled well before a classy and measured knock from Usman Khawaja finished the job.
Maxwell’s continued good form with the ball is giving Australia greater flexibility in their line-up, opening up the option of playing a fifth specialist batsman instead of struggling all-rounder Marcus Stoinis.
In his last ten one day matches for Australia, including four recent practice matches, Maxwell has taken six wickets at 48.
While that average is not terrific what is extremely impressive is his miserly economy rate of just 4.98 runs per over in that time. Australia have enough wicket taking prowess among their four frontline bowlers that they do not need their fifth bowler to be threatening.
Instead they need them only be frugal, and Maxwell is proving to be just that.
Glenn Maxwell of Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Again yesterday he did a fine job of drying up the runs with his off spin. Maxwell was brought into the attack after just ten overs, perhaps because of his ability to trouble left handers, two of whom were at the crease.
He had a big LBW shout in his first over and then had Kusal Perera trapped in front in his fourth over.
Throughout his five over spell of 1-14 Maxwell bowled with precision, patience and guile. He found a nice in-between length and continually made subtle changes to his pace, release points and seam position to keep the batsmen honest.
Skipper Finch clearly trusts Maxwell with the ball far more than did his predecessor Smith.
The previous time Maxwell had an ODI captain who backed his bowling he played as Australia’s sole spinner in the 2015 World Cup and won a place in the Team of the Tournament. Reprising that role in the 2019 edition is now a distinct possibility for Maxwell.
While yesterday’s match helped to press Maxwell’s case to be Australia’s fifth bowler, it worked against seamer Kane Richardson.
In giving up 52 runs from six overs against a weak Sri Lankan batting line-up he surely placed himself firmly at the bottom of Australia’s pace pecking order.
Nathan Lyon also had his hopes of breaking into Australia’s starting XI dented. As Australia’s other three spinners – Maxwell, Adam Zampa and Steve Smith – collectively took 4-62 at just 3.9 runs per over, Lyon was expensive returning 1-48 from eight overs.
Lyon remains a good defensive option should Australia wish to play two spinners, but he has not done enough to usurp Zampa as the first choice tweaker.
Meanwhile, Australia’s pace duo of Starc and Cummins looked fantastic. Cummins barely bowled a bad delivery as he took 1-23 from eight overs. The young right armer is in the form of his life in this format, having taken 27 wickets at 13 in his last ten one dayers.
The Australian cricket team. (AAP Image/David Mariuz)
Starc is still fresh back from a long injury layoff but is showing good signs.
The left armer’s pace is up – he nudged 150kmh yesterday – and he looks to have found a nice, easy rhythm to his bowling. In an indication that Starc’s body may be holding up well, he completed four separate spells yesterday as he finished with 1-38 from nine overs.
Australia then made light work of a straightforward chase. Shaun Marsh (34 from 46 balls) and Glenn Maxwell (36 from 36 balls) both made handy contributions, despite looking short of their best.
The chase, however, was built around a calm knock from Khawaja, who continued his sensational form as an opener. Australia’s batting line-up would be at its strongest with Khawaja and Aaron Finch opening, followed by David Warner, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell.
Australia’s selectors now have the tough choice of picking two out of Khawaja, Marsh and Stoinis to complete the top six for their World Cup opener against Afghanistan on Saturday.
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Ashan D
Roar Pro
Ronan, are there reserve days for group games should rain cause havoc ?
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I suspect that Warner will open a) because he’s potentially our best bat and he’s never batted anywhere else and b) they haven’t tried him out down the order in the practice games. Khawaja didn’t look that convincing, but nobody else on either team did either. Finch shaping up to be a weak link if the ball moves early on. Starc seemed to be struggling for control, doesn’t seem to have that deadly yorker back.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
True. It is a shame. He was looking really good.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
He would, because he starts slowly...sure... but we agree he hasnt had the form to justify it; as you say, it would displace a much better batting option down the order..so, he would need to show some very good form in my opinion.
AREH
Roar Guru
It's the thing isn't it - the whole third quick bowler conversation would never have started with a fit Jhye. A real shame
AREH
Roar Guru
Like it. Warner so equipped, so able - it wouldn't matter where you bat him.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Despite all the negativity over the last 12 months, we're now in the position of people discussing where players should bat because they're in good form. Australia has a history of building towards tournaments and using as much of their squad as possible to gauge best fit for conditions. If an in form player is being discussed as having to move for an in form player, then it's a great 'problem' to have. One thing's for sure, just as has been evident in all Australia's winning WC tournaments, each player in the squad will get a chance to show their worth and play a part in winning the tournament. For mine I'm looking forward to Zampa and Carey coming of age. Good luck to all of them, it takes a team to win a tournament.
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
Australia's weak-link is Finch as opener. He should be convinced to bat at No.5, after Warner, Khawaja, S. Marsh and Smith.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Poor old Tubby must be devo Khawaja got a few.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Stoinis would definitely be better suited batting at 3/4 where his slow starts are less of a liability but his form doesn't justify the promotion and it would also mean that one of Australia's specialist top order bats would have to play out of position at 5.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
"I don’t think Warner makes best opening pair with finch...I don’t remember these 2 making such an impact in previous two tournaments ( WC15 & champions trophy)" Across those two tournaments Warner and Finch made 800 runs at 40.
Jules
Roar Rookie
We're winning, but don't look primed at all to me. The biggest problems are Finch and Stoinis. We need the former in the team because he's the captain (and a decent captain), but he's going to go cheaply LBW or playing a lame on-drive far too often in England in June (regardless of the lack of seam on the ball or roads served up to bat on). Even Gilchrist struggled opening for most of the 1999 WC. We need the latter in the team because his bowling brings balance, but his batting is not the from-the-start impact hitting that we need. On form, I even wonder if he's as good as NCN at that role. The problem is that both have to play because of this and the relative lack of form of the obvious replacement (S Marsh, hasn't been hitting them that sweetly in England), so we're going to be carrying three players who aren't world-class for their roles on form and in the conditions (Finch, Stoinis and the third-seamer, after that poorly timed injury to Jhye Richardson).
jameswm
Roar Guru
Yep about right...
jameswm
Roar Guru
I think this proves Richardson was a poor selection (Jhye would have been good). If we're contemplating dropping Stoinis and having Maxi bowl 10 or close to 10 overs, then Turner's the one we'd want in our middle order, not Marsh (not Shaun anyway). Maxi, Turner and Crey in the 5-7 slots, pretty decent.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I think the biggest positive from this game was Stoinis. He scored 32 off 30 with only three boundaries and although he only sent down three overs (I was surprised he wasn't given more) he was still economical. It wasn't a stellar game from him by any stretch but it was still his best performance in a while. Had he failed he was pretty much out of the starting XI. Maybe his performance will have given him the confidence boost he badly needed.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
100% agree Ronan. Perhaps unfortunately for Warner (or not, depending on your view), you cannot drop Khawaja down to 3 after him showing such great form opening. He has earned his right to have a good go at the top ffs. Its a shame Finch has shown a bit more adaptability, but nevertheless… having warner come in at 3 seems the best option. Although, i still wonder if he couldnt bat lower.. Lastly, Ponting etc seem to agitating for Stoinis batting higher in the order…e.g 3. I cant see how his complete lack of form justifies this?!
Andrew
Guest
I agree Ronan Finch and Khawaja must open and I'd like Warner further down as a finishing roll with Maxi. Cummins is unbelievable to have taken 27 @ 13 in his last 10. My hopes for a WC win will be on Cummins bowling and how we use Warner and Maxi.
Asthon
Roar Rookie
excellent knock from Khawaja. Calm and controlled, rotating the strike beautifully. His classy rotation of strike demonstrated by only 3 boundaries in that 89. And he has the ability to score boundaries which suggests he had a gear or two in reserve. I think the best team for the Afghanistan looks like this now: Khawaja Finch Warner Smith Stoinis Maxwell Carey Cummins Starc Lyon Zampa
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
However, this will not not cover up for tactical failures despite having the players needed & in form. I mentioned this earlier & will say again --- I don't think Warner makes best opening pair with finch. At least as of finch is now. If my memory serves correctly, I don't remember these 2 making such an impact in previous two tournaments ( WC15 & champions trophy) they played together. I don't think these 2 can stand quality bowling attacks & see through difficult period. Smith must bat at 3, unless opening pair bats till 35th over (which is very unlikely). Warner & maxi should bat at 4 & 5. Should help maxi perform better if all the accelerating duty isn't thrown at him. IMO , third seamer should be Behrendorff, I would open with him & Cummins. That should free up starc's over in death.