Last year’s World Cup triumph feels like yesterday, but this year’s World Cup is around the corner (still eight months away).
The squad is going to be pretty much the same as last year’s, so here we can take a look at the possible squad, including the XI in batting order and four substitutes.
Playing XI
1. David Warner
88 batting innings, 2554 runs, 32.74 average, 140.48 strike rate
He is last year’s World Cup’s player of the tournament, the second highest run getter of the edition and the backbone of the Aussie line-up. It will be no justice leaving him out of the XI.
He has scored 2554 runs at an average of 32.74. That is very much above par in this format of the game. Warner generally is a great timer of the ball and gives the team a good start.
During last year’s edition, he had a whopping strike rate of 146.70 and an average of 48.16. This man holds the key for the Aussies defending the title.
(Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
2. Aaron Finch
83 batting innings, 2608 runs, 35.72 average, 148.01 strike rate
Veteran batsman and skipper Aaron Finch needs no introduction. The star batsman easily gets in the XI opening alongside Warner.
He likes to go bang on from ball one and converts his starts to big scores. Not to mention he has the highest score by a batsman in T20Is.
Warner and Finch could use the power play overs very wisely and could pave the way for big totals.
3. Mitch Marsh
35 batting innings, 885 runs, 31.60 average, 125.00 strike rate
20 bowling innings, 15 wickets, 20.04 average, 7.65 economy
Mitch Marsh has been one of the finds for Aussies, batting at number three and helping the bowling department by bowling a handy couple of overs.
Marsh could bat deep into the innings and ensures the runs keep flowing. Marsh was deemed to be the key player for the 2021 edition but after an underwhelming group stage, Marsh proved his worth with a brilliant 77-run knock in the final, ensuring the triumph.
(Photo by Michael Steele-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
4. Steve Smith
41 batting innings, 863 runs, 26.96 average, 126.16 strike rate
Imagine your team is struggling at 3-30 and is in a desperate situation of someone needing to anchor the innings and take it deep. The ideal batsman is Steve Smith.
A batsman with an ability to keep the scoreboard ticking and at the same not throwing away his wicket is a must in every team. His experience could come in handy during crunch times and crucial situations.
5. Glenn Maxwell
72 batting innings, 1844 runs, 30.73 average, 155.74 strike rate
53 innings, 33 wickets, 27.60 average, 7.46 economy
Arguably the world’s best all-rounder, Maxwell is a three-dimensional player, a gun fielder, a great batsman, and a valuable bowler.
Maxwell is in the thickest of forms, smashing a record-breaking 154 recently in the BBL. If needed, Maxwell could well bat at number four and bowl in the power play too.
He has an impressive strike rate of 160 and, who knows, he could score a quick-fire hundred.
6. Matthew Wade
42 batting innings, 729 runs, 20.82 average, 127.00 strike rate
Although the stats aren’t great, he is the ideal wicketkeeper for the team and could also open the innings if needed.
Who could forget his match-winning 41 off 17 balls in the semi-final of the 2021 edition, smacking Shaheen Afridi for three sixes, sending Pakistan packing and putting Australia in the final.
(Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
7. Marcus Stoinis
27 batting innings, 456 runs, 28.50 average, 134.51 strike rate
19 bowling innings, ten wickets, 39.40 average, 8.69 economy
Marcus Stoinis is a dynamic batsman. He could smash the white ball a long way.
He and Maxwell could pretty much do the fifth bowler’s role to perfection. Stoinis is a valuable asset down the order.
He can easily do the finisher’s role and often comes good during crunch situations.
8. Pat Cummins
37 bowling innings, 42 wickets, 22.38 average, 7.01 economy
Pat Cummins is the heart of the bowling attack and could very much prove handy in field placements.
Cummins could bowl economically both in the power play and death overs.
9. Mitchell Starc
48 bowling innings, 60 wickets, 22.68 average, 7.51 economy
This guy doesn’t need an introduction as arguably the world’s best bowler. He could give the ideal starts along with Josh Hazlewood in the power play overs and bundle out the opposition very quickly.
Mitchell Starc could provide vital breakthroughs during the power play and could cramp up the batsmen with searing pace and bounce.
(Action Foto Sport/NurPhoto)
10. Adam Zampa
56 bowling innings, 65 wickets, 21.15 average, 6.81 economy
The team requires a spinner who has the ability to bowl dot balls in the middle overs and keep the run rate low.
He could also turn the ball and trap the batsmen in front.
11.Josh Hazlewood
24 bowling innings, 32 wickets, 22.09 average, 7.79 economy
Josh Hazlewood is the only bowler to be ranked in top ten bowlers in all formats. Needless to say, he hits consistent line and length tirelessly.
He had a breakthrough year in 2021 and is in a rich vein of form. He is a bowler well capable of bowling in the power play and getting the outside edges on a regular basis.
Substitutes
12. Ashton Agar
13. Alex Carey
14. Jhye Richardson
15. Usman Khawaja
Peter85
Roar Rookie
It seems like a very unbalanced line-up to me, with Wade and Stoinis both being top order batsmen that struggle low in the order. Finch seems to be past his best and having him open when there are the above two plus other wicketkeeper/opener replacement options (Carey, McDermott, Phillipe, Inglis) that better balance the side I would be going with those. If Finch wasn't captain he would not be getting picked. I would be picking: Warner Wade Marsh Smith Maxwell Christain Agar Starc Cummins Zampa Hazelwood The #6 spot is the toughest for me - there are a lot of guys who have good top-order records but look lost coming in late. Christian is a specialist in this spot. Balance wise you end up with 5 front line bowlers and 3 all-rounders to add in overs. It feels to be one bowler too many given the ability of those 3 all-rounders and I would like to upgrade Christian to a more accomplished batsmen.
Simoc
Guest
Finches contribution to the World Cup win was winning the toss in all the big games where you won by batting second. He is not seeing the ball now. His runs are experience; one step down and swinging straight or across if short. His time is up unless he buys glasses.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
I would make a few ch angels, a few are going past their use by date. Inglis & Sangha need to be in with Inglis as the 1st choice keeper.
Gee
Roar Rookie
Is Head in the picture now? Personally I would replace Finch in the ODI team with him & I would prefer Head to Khawaja as a substitute in the T20s. Wade & Stoinis wont fluke another great innings & Maxwell will probably stink it up as usual so the spare batsmen needed should be more of a power hitter.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
To your point Tempo - we need to be getting the McDermott, Phillipe, J and T Sanga, Inglis players more exposure to international level quality cricket!
Tempo
Roar Rookie
I don't have any major issues with the starting line-up, given they just won a World Cup, though I don't agree with the balance of the reserves. You've picked two top order bats (Carey and Khawaja), a finger spinner and a fast bowler. If you are picking two batsmen, one of them needs to be able to cover the middle order (Carey has been a flop there so far). I liked Inglis as a reserve in the previous World Cup squad as he can cover the top order, middle order and wicketkeeping positions - which would allow you to pick three bowling reserves. Otherwise, if you want to pick Carey as top order and wicketkeeping cover, you should pick a middle order specialist instead of Ussie. If you have an extra bowling squad place available you can then pick a back-up wrist spinner in case Zampa is injured. You could go Mitch Swepson again, though Tanveer Sangha is really putting his hand up too.
Tempo
Roar Rookie
Yes, I read the article and was waiting for some sort of surprise choice to pop up! Re: Finch, I think we need to consider that he probably shouldn't have played in the T20 World Cup due to his knee injury. He was out with it for a couple more months before he was fit to resume in the BBL. I think it had a big part in his performances there. Prior to the World Cup he was doing ok - 324 runs in 10 T20Is during 2021 at an average of 36 and SR of 129. Not his brilliant best but good enough especially if you factor in his leadership. Not sure who is banging down the door to replace him. We've seen the step up from BBL to international cricket is a bit one - Philippe and McDermott haven't done much with their chances in international cricket so far, other guys like D'Arcy Short and Chris Lynn have been flops too. Maybe someone will take their chance this year. Dominating against international bowlers is very different to smashing grade cricketers. This is why we need our internationals playing in the Big Bash!
Paul
Roar Guru
In other words, exactly the same team that won last years World Cup. And your okay with Aaron Finch's 260 runs in his last 12 innings? If he wasn't captain, I reckon he'd be dropped.