Australia will go all-out in their one-day World Cup preparation, opting against resting their quicks in next week’s series against England despite the nine-Test summer ahead.
Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were each named in Australia’s one-day squad on Tuesday, with selectors announcing a full-strength 14-man group and Travis Head as the new opener.
The announcement came at the same time as Australia’s Test squad to take on West Indies in the Frank Worrell Trophy, with no changes made from last summer’s team.
Marcus Harris remains as part of the red-ball group as the back-up batsman after his strong start to the Sheffield Shield season, while Scott Boland is the fourth quick.
But the interesting point will remain the management of the bowlers.
Cummins will lead Australia in both formats, with selectors deciding against putting him on ice for his first series as ODI captain.
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Australia’s three ODIs against England finish just a week before the first Test against West Indies in Perth, with only a three-day gap between that and the Adelaide Test.
Three red-ball matches against South Africa will quickly follow in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, before a four-Test series in India in February.
“Our focus is to continue to build a squad with an eye to next year’s World Cup under Pat as the new ODI captain, so it’s an important series,” chief selector George Bailey said of the squad.
“Travis Head returns in place of Aaron Finch having played well in Pakistan and Sri Lanka earlier in the year.
“He has demonstrated flexibility in the types of roles he can play in our ODI line-up.
“Our next opportunity in the ODI format will be in India next year which will allow us to experience similar conditions as for the World Cup in October.”
Harris’ selection in the Test squad comes after he lost his spot at the top of the order after last year’s Boxing Day match.
He remained in the squad for the tour of Pakistan but did not play, and was overlooked for the Sri Lanka tour.
The left-hander has since hit two centuries to start the domestic summer with Victoria, after claiming 726 runs at an average of 42.7 in County cricket.
CLICK HERE for a seven-day free trial to watch cricket on KAYO
“After some larger squads for the sub-continent tours over the winter, we have returned to a very similar squad to that which performed strongly last summer in comprehensively winning the Ashes,” Bailey said.
AUSTRALIA ODI SQUAD VS ENGLAND:
Pat Cummins (capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
AUSTRALIA TEST SQUAD VS WEST INDIES:
Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
if we aren’t ever going to reward one day cup or shield form and actually promote these guys, I'm sure that the chief reason why the Old Guard keeps getting picked has been posted. It's just not getting published... :stoked:
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Ashley Chandrasonghe might be someone to watch… Not literally of course. He's the updated, multicultural version of Bill Lawry...
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Well, one of them anyway...
matth
Roar Guru
Only if he can sweep every ball. Compulsive sweeper. Cummins is actually a very correct longer form bat. He’s not really suited to the stereotypical slogging bowler. Where is there middle order is the question.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Lyon at 7?
matth
Roar Guru
Bat him at 6 :laughing: :laughing:
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Speaking of suspect batting; Victoria looks like they might struggle away from The Junction Oval. Ashley Chandrasonghe might be someone to watch...obviously values his wicket.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Would you drop Abbott for those bowlers? He's been their best batsman this year.
matth
Roar Guru
They'd win plenty of games with their bowling, but I agree, as I said above, that their middle order is suspect. Although they have Smith of course.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Not the way they are performing at the moment. Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins, Zampa, Lyon won't score many more runs. A lot of pressure on Davy.
matth
Roar Guru
Bancroft never thrilled me as someone able to handle the step up in class.
matth
Roar Guru
None of those are in Lyon's class at test level. Swepson and Kuhnemann at least have some runs on the board at first class level.
matth
Roar Guru
Whiteman is a decent call
matth
Roar Guru
To be fair if NSW played their internationals they would be well in that conversation as the best squad (although their middle order is a bit weak in my opinion)
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I think I have.
Clear as mud
Guest
i think so. i am suggesting what i think could be their rationale again, good questions that Good Mate Bailey really should be asked.
Clear as mud
Guest
and a good reply is there now!
Clear as mud
Guest
no. i get called out by some if i say the same things on multiple threads. paranoid when i don't. FYI 13th went and replied re the tests and incumbency. it's a good discussion. you would add value there.
Rob Peters
Guest
As a WI fan, I can say with absolute confidence, the Australians could still put a 2nd XI team on the field, and the WI would still lose in three and a half days (I'd say 4 but that's being overconfident). Hell, put a 2nd grade team out there and they'd still be competitive. So, on that note let me profusely apologize from now for our upcoming performance in the two tests. Don't worry Aussie fans, I've already started to pray for rain. Specifically day 1, and then days 3 through 5. Doesn't matter which days rain fall, as long as we either lose with some amount of dignity or hang on grimly for a draw.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
He certainly is our most innocuous of bowlers. Certainly of any that have taken 50 wickets or more.