NSW are the current holders of the One Day Cup, so how would a game between them and a Rest of Australia XI look?
NSW XI
David Warner, Daniel Hughes, Steve Smith, Moises Henriques, Ollie Davies, Matt Gilkes (wicketkeeper), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
David Warner has been one of the world’s best ODI openers over the past ten years, scoring at a strike rate over 95.
With six hundreds and seven fifties in 29 List A games, Daniel Hughes is one of the best uncapped one day cricketers in Australia – he would have over 50 ODIs for most other nations.
Steve Smith’s numbers have risen drastically since he became a number three. The big wicket in every Australian team, Smith is the anchor in the NSW XI.
Despite not performing for Australia, Moises Henriques has a respectable record with the bat for his state, averaging a shade under 39.
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
At number five, my wicketkeeper is Matt Gilkes. A destructive batsman, Gilkes requires more consistency to become a mainstay in the NSW team but his style of play does suit the modern one-day style and he can overtake Baxter Holt to become NSW’s long-term keeper once Peter Nevill calls it quits.
In a short career for NSW in List A cricket, Davies is averaging 48 at a strike rate over 120. With a powerful leg side game, Davies is another exciting talent.
As Henriques does not bowl often, I went ahead with a five-man attack of Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins as skipper, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood. I was lingering between Abbott and Nathan Lyon, but Abbott’s batting made me choose Adam Zampa as the lone spinner.
Rest of Australia XI
Aaron Finch (captain), Usman Khawaja, Ben McDermott, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Joel Paris, Matt Kuhnemann
Opening the batting is skipper Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja.
Alongside his great numbers in List A cricket, Finch averages a shade under 42 in ODIs – no chance the Aussie skipper misses out on this XI.
As for Khawaja, he averages over 60 with the bat in List A cricket for Queensland, yet has struggled to contain an ODI spot after his exploits for Australia during Warner and Smith’s absence.
Having scored runs for fun for Tasmania, McDermott made his ODI debut against the West Indies earlier this year. If there was one criticism of McDermott, it is his strike rate of 78 in List A cricket – he probably needs to up that to the low to mid 80s to keep himself in contention for Australian selection.
To finish off the top four, Labuschagne has impressive numbers for Queensland and a bright start to his international career makes him Australia’s number four for the 2023 World Cup.
Mitchell Marsh was highly impressive during Australia’s poor tours of West Indies and Bangladesh, with the West Australian all-rounder a shining light in dark times. As he has shown he can bat properly in white-ball cricket, I went with Marsh at number five.
Alex Carey is the keeper and his ODI numbers are the reason why he pips Josh Inglis as the gloveman. Glenn Maxwell is the designated finisher and he can provide some useful off-spin as well.
My three seamers are the West Australian trio of Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff and Joel Paris.
Behrendorff and Paris will take the new ball as both are quality, and if Paris can remain injury free for a season, he will be very close to a recall.
Richardson will bowl primarily in the middle and death overs, using his pace to blast out the NSW batsmen.
I see Ashton Agar more as a second spinner and with Glenn Maxwell in the XI, my frontline spinner is Matt Kuhnemann. A finger spinner, Kuhnemann takes a wicket every 28.2 deliveries in his 17 List A cricket. A name who goes under the radar, Kuhnemann definitely has it in him to play ODI cricket for Australia in the future.
Josh H
Roar Rookie
Kuhnemann? Not, you know, Agar? Kuhnemann isn't even the best spinner in his own state.
TheCunningLinguistic
Roar Rookie
At the moment, I’d be very surprised if Mitch Marsh isn’t in the top few picks for both shorter formats. He basically carried the team on the recent tours, you’d have to pick a player in form.
Ace
Roar Rookie
I like the concept. I do think that if it were to happen in reality then Inglis will be the next keeper. Selectors have finally selected him and he could play all formats. I'm optimistic he could be a great no 7 in tests. Love to see any sports person take the game on and he's one that does
JamesH
Roar Guru
It's an interesting experiment but I'm not sure about the Rest of Australia XI. Ashton Agar is the clear choice for the spinner - he's our number 1 ranked T20I bowler and I expect his ODI ranking to move up quickly if he can stay fit. If not for Zampa and injuries he would be an ODI regular. Aside from having more than just 17 List A games under his belt, he averages 24 with the bat in ODI cricket. I also can't see how Ben McDermott would be picked over Marcus Stoinis or Travis Head, even though I'm a big fan of Ben. Is it just that you want at least one player from each state? Ben has the better List A average but Head and Stoinis both average over 30 at a strike rate over 90 in ODI cricket. Paris is an interesting pick but arguably fair enough, given his numbers. Next in line would be Kane Richardson, who is more of a defensive option as a death bowler. Paris is more likely to get wickets up front. It's probably a bit of a moot point. NSW has a weak middle order but if the get off to a reasonable start with the bat then it would be game over. Their bowling attack is just too good.
Tom
Marnus up to 3 and Handscomb 4 would be my change.
Two Slips and a Gully
Roar Rookie
I think NSW wins this game pretty comfortably to be honest. Considering that NSW bowling attack would be close to one of the best in the world let alone Australia. Not to mention that you also have a destructive short form player like Daniel Sams also waiting in the wings. Warner and Smith providing plenty of class in the top order along with players like Hughes and Henriques that have shown to be able to get the job done domestically. You may want to consider Handscomb or Head in place of McDermott who both have impressive List A careers. Handscomb was the player of the series in the last Marsh Cup.
Paul
Roar Guru
Spot on. When one side has so many first choice Aussie players and the other doesn't, it's a pretty easy call on who'd win.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
I think you could look at it this way to get your result. Who would be first picked in a starting eleven for Australia? For me it’s Smith, second picked I’d go Cummins, third I’d go Warner, fourth Starc, fifth Hazlewood and sixth probably Zampa. Finch and Maxwell are probably the next two. I’m not from N.S.W’s but you don’t have to be Einstein to work out they carry the Australian cricket team
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Yeah NSW's bowling is ahead of the RoA bowling attack. However, the RoA could exploit the inexperienced 5 and 6 in the NSW lineup. However my NSW bias makes me to predict the Blues to win
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Rookie error should've triple checked before submitting
Paul
Roar Guru
Another interesting piece, Arnab. For me, it comes down to whether the Rest Of Australia bowlers could contain the NSW batsmen to a total the ROA batsmen could make, or whether they could take enough wickets to stop NSW chasing down a total. I think the answer is no. The ROA attack is honest but only Jhye Richardson is in the same class as the NSW attack. Even if you swapped out Matt Kuhnemann for Swepson or Agar, I still think the Blues win in a canter.
Lukestar
Roar Rookie
Would be more than interesting. Imagine it on a green top,ie Gabba with Warner opening .
bazza200
Guest
Good article would be a cool game to have. Noticed you missed maxi out of the team list Rest of Australia XI Aaron Finch (captain), Usman Khawaja, Ben McDermott, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff, Joel Paris, Matt Kuhnemann