Australia’s World Cup preparation has come to an end after a dominant win over Sri Lanka in Southampton.
This combined with wins over the West Indies and England in their previous warm-up fixtures as well as series wins in the UAE and India has Australia flying ahead of their opener to be played on June 1 in Bristol.
In six months the Aussies have gone from no-hopers to one of the tournament favourites along with England and India and look like one of the most in-form sides heading into a massive six weeks of cricket. However, even after these warm-up games questions still remain about the makeup of the Australian XI.
Here is the XI I would pick for Saturday’s opener against the underrated Afghans:
Aaron Finch (C)
Still have concerns over his technical flaws against the moving ball early on in the innings, something that Sri Lanka’s bowlers successfully exposed yesterday, but Finch being the captain is a walk up start in this side.
He is also the only right-handed opener in the squad and given Langer’s preference for a right hand, left-hand combination, it’s very hard to believe that Finch won’t be walking out to face the new ball in Bristol.
David Warner
Very tough to pick who to partner Finch at the top of the order but despite Khawaja’s awesome 89 last night, I’m sticking with Dave Warner at the top of the order. It’s where he is at his most damaging, as has been shown in the recent IPL.
He hasn’t reached great heights yet since returning to the National side but I’m backing him in to have a dominant tournament.
Usman Khawaja
Pips Shaun Marsh in the race for the number three position on the back of an excellent knock yesterday. Has been in brilliant form this season in ODI cricket, granted as an opener, but I’m backing him in to make the transition easily to number three.
Some people will be quick to point out that his record at three is poor in ODI cricket and while I do agree, I also acknowledge that he has improved his game immensely in this format, in particular his strike rotation.
His 89 only included the three boundaries, suggesting that he is getting far better at scoring ones and twos. There is a worry that he is poor beginning his innings against spin but I think he will cope quite well as these decks won’t get the same level of turn as those on the subcontinent.
Steve Smith
It’s like he never left. He has been in imperious form in the lead up to this World Cup, scoring a brilliant 116 against the Poms on Saturday. Looks in wonderful touch and has the perfect blend of temperament and aggression to bat at four for Australia. We look a far stronger side now he’s back.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Glenn Maxwell
The Big Show looks in good touch heading into the first game, not only is he striking the ball well, he looms as a genuinely good option with the ball. Bowled five tidy overs and took a pole yesterday and will be one of Australia’s x-factors in this tournament. If he can get going he could turn 280 into 350 in very quick time, something we will require to compete against the likes of England and South Africa.
Marcus Stoinis
Big question marks loom over Stoinis’ form with the bat going into the first match, he is struggling to get started in innings and isn’t rotating the strike enough. Yet, as our only seam bowling all-rounder, he is too valuable for team balance not to pick in the side.
If he is left out it would leave us with a lack of bowling options, something that would be unwise considering the injury history of the quicks in the squad. In my opinion, he is the most important player in the squad. If he can get his batting sorted out he will be extremely valuable but if not he will be a liability. The selectors have backed him in being the only all-rounder and as such, he needs to step up.
Alex Carey
I’ll admit I was in the Peter Handscomb camp going into this World Cup but Carey hasn’t put a foot wrong since being selected. Made a quickfire 30 against England which suggests that he can play the finisher role at number seven. Made a couple of errors in the field yesterday that cost run outs but generally he has been very tidy so I’ll put them down to a one-off.
Pat Cummins
An absolute shoe-in to lead the attack, Patty Cummins is in career-best form and is one of the best fast bowlers in the world. Also a handy lower order bat and a brilliant athlete in the field, Australia will be hoping Cummins can bring his A game to this World Cup. A genuine matchwinner.
Mitchell Starc
Hasn’t reached his brilliant best yet which we saw at the last World Cup, but Australia’s bowling attack is better off with Starc than without him. He hasn’t moved the new ball around much in the warm-up games but has been good with the older ball.
He is still a strike weapon for the Aussies.
Jason Behrendorff
Perhaps the most controversial selection in this line-up, I’ve gone with Jason Behrendorff as the third seamer over his Western Australia teammate Nathan Coulter-Nile and Kane Richardson. He has been the most impressive of the three bowlers in the warm-up fixtures, however, his best work has been done with the new ball.
He also isn’t a noted death bowler which will put some extra pressure on Starc, Cummins and Stoinis but I still feel he is the best wicket-taking option of the three reserve seamers. It’s a pity Jhye Richardson wasn’t fit or else he would have been an absolute shoe-in.
Adam Zampa
Zampa beats Lyon to take the spin bowling position in this line-up. I don’t see them playing two spinners in the UK unless the pitch is especially dry and considering Maxwell is an offie I think Zampa provides more variety than Lyon.
It’s stiff on Garry who has been very impressive but Zampa is the better wicket-taking option. Leg spinners are all the rage in world cricket right now and I am backing Zampa to have a very strong tournament.
Missing out
Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Kane Richardson.
My World Cup predictions
Finalists: New Zealand and South Africa (NZ win).
Semi-finalists: England and Australia.
Player of the tournament: Trent Boult.
Most wickets: Trent Boult.
Most runs: Steve Smith.
Disappointment of the tournament: India.
Surprise upset: Afghanistan to beat Pakistan (again…just like in the warmups).
13th Man
Guest
The reality for me is that all 3 of our back up seamers aren't as good as i'd hoped. Whether it's NCN or Dorff I feel neither option is as good as Jhye or Hazelwood. I just hope we don't regret not picking Hazelwood as this tournament goes along. Was excellent in the last WC.
Tom
Guest
Warner has made 1 50 and 1 hundred in his last 3 ODI series. His record is massively inflated on the back of a handful of good years
JamesH
Roar Guru
Buttler gave NCN some tap in the second warmup game but NCN dismissed him, which was the prize wicket and turned the game. He also bowled well against WI in the previous practice match (2/25 from 6, dismissing Bravo and Hetmeyer) and has comfortably outbowled Behrendorff in ODIs in 2019. The problem for Dorff is that he's at his best as an opening bowler and he won't get the new rock with Starc and Cummins in the side. If he isn't opening and he's not a death bowler then I can't see the point in picking him. On top of that you've got the superior batting and fielding that NCN offers, which makes the decision a no-brainer for me.
13th Man
Guest
Problem is I feel Behrendorff is still the strongest of the three seam bowling options in the squad. Both NCN and Richardson were belted around in the practice matches. Potentially we could go with Lyon as the second spinner? Jhye Richardson is a big loss
13th Man
Guest
Couple of things, your missing a number 5 and your crazy not to play Warner. Have a look at his ODI batting record, it's the best in the squad. Regardless of your feelings towards him after South Africa no one can argue he isn't in our best XI
13th Man
Guest
I am aware and in an ideal world I'd have him opening. The problem is that Warner and Finch are also opening batsmen. Realistically I wouldn't play Finch and open with Warmer and Uzzy and slot Marsh in at 3 but as Finch is the captain he will play. It's not ideal but someone has to bat out of position.
Paul
Roar Guru
You've made some interesting choices and you probably have the players correct, with the exception of Behrendorff, but not their batting positions right. Australia can't afford a one dimensional bowler and this is what Behrendorff currently brings to the table. He's obviously very good when the balls new and moving around but does little or nothing in his later overs. He might get a run against Afghanistan, but not against the stronger sides. They'd murder him. As for your predictions, I can see Bangladesh beating at least one of India, England, Australia, SA or the Kiwis. The disappointed side will be England and India will meet the gold machine in the final.
doug heffernan
Guest
Great article It is going to be a very intruging tourney for sure. Agreed but I think England will be bundled out early. India will be winners of a controversial game or 2. It just takes one phone call from the BCCI to have an LBW decision reversed these days. NZ to win the WC for mine.
Peter Warrington
Guest
can we please call Glenn Max Maxi? no more BS BS?
Spinosum
Roar Rookie
I'm afraid I disagree - Aaron Finch as a great Oz ODI captain stays exactly where he is, leading his team who support him fully. Usman Khawaja opening in partnership has been set down in concrete these past months - I think only a fool would dispute that. Shaun Marsh at 3 - I'd consider iffy and prefer Steve Smith thus dropping S. Marsh to 4. Glen Maxwell definitely at 4 but could be moved up the order as required. Alex Carey at 6 - steady looking player and getting better. Stonis at best 7 (with regret) Pat Cummins at 8 where he has shown in the past he can seal an innings Mitch Starc at 9, Zampa at 10 and Lyon the GOAT at 11. Dave Warner can run drinks.
Josh H
Roar Rookie
You are aware that Khawaja made 89 last night opening the batting, right? Yeah he played well by rotating the strike, but that's because he was able to build a platform at the absolute beginning of the innings. Much harder to do that in the middle overs. Khawaja has not yet shown that ability. He's an opener through and through for mine