Glenn Maxwell’s double century was spectacular and deserves to go down as one of the greatest innings in one-day international cricket history.
But the Australians are kidding themselves if they think they can go all the way in this World Cup unless they fix a range of conspicuous issues before their semi-final showdown with South Africa.
If anyone thinks they can still compete for the trophy on current form, they haven’t seen what’s sure to be waiting in the final even if Australia beat the Proteas – an Indian juggernaut with strength in every department that hasn’t looked like losing a game.
Australia have one more chance to iron out their many kinks when they take on Bangladesh in Pune this Saturday in a match which has little significance on the final standings but represents an opportunity for the Aussies to experiment with a few different tactics and selections.
The win over Afghanistan was their sixth in a row and they will more than likely make it seven against the under-achieving Bangladeshi squad but, apart from their annihilation of the Netherlands, they are yet to put in a complete performance at this tournament.
Here are the key issues facing Australia as the World Cup reaches the pointy end.
Losing wickets in bunches is a weak point
In each of their eight matches, Australia have had a collapse of some degree.
Even when they piled on 8-399 against the Dutch, there was a period midway through their innings when they lost 4-46.
It can be hard for a new batter to get settled on Indian wickets and it’s better to accumulate for a few overs rather than going for big shots early.
The reverse sweep is no longer seen as an outlandish shot but Marcus Stoinis’ decision to try one out when the team was 5-87 against Afghanistan was a shocking error of judgement from an experienced player.
Marnus or Smith to shore up middle order?
Assuming Steve Smith is able to return to the line-up after missing the win over Afghanistan due to a bout of vertigo, is he an automatic selection ahead of Marnus Labuschagne for the middle-order mainstay role?
Labuschagne has looked more assured in this tournament despite a lesser ODI record beforehand with the Queenslander amassing 286 runs at 35.75 at a serviceable strike rate of 77.08.
Smith has looked continually out of sorts in making 205 at 29.28 at a slightly better clip of 86.13.
The 34-year-old vice-captain is certain to come back into the side once he’s cleared by the medicos but his production is not at its usual high standard.
Marnus Labuschagne. (Photo by Charle Lombard/Gallo Images/Getty Images)
Stoinis or Green? Or neither?
When Smith’s back, Labuschagne could remain in the XI if Stoinis and Cameron Green are not necessarily needed for their all-round skills.
Maxwell is relied upon for 10 overs as the fifth bowler most matches and even if one of the frontliners gets taken down, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head are at the ready to soak up some of the workload.
Stoinis has yet again looked a million dollars but been worth a million rupees in India (that’s around $18,000 on the exchange rate) while Green has not made the most of his limited opportunities.
Both have averaged 21 with the bat and only used for a few overs per game when they’ve been part of the attack.
Playing Smith and Labuschagne means Maxwell can continue at his preferred spot at six and Josh Inglis can drop down to the traditional keeper’s slot of seven.
Has Inglis done enough to keep the gloves?
But whether the surprise decision to elevate Inglis ahead of Alex Carey has been the right one or not is open to debate.
The Aussies have won six of the seven matches since Carey was punted after a form slump with the bat leading into the World Cup but apart from a 58 against Sri Lanka, Inglis has failed at No.5 with only one other score above 14.
His glovework has been fine but 131 runs at 18.71 is not going to cut it at this level.
Australia won’t change a winning formula but Inglis needs to perform or he will suffer the same fate as Carey.
Persist with Starc or give Abbott a run?
Mitchell Starc has been the most expensive of the four frontline bowlers in terms of average (43.9) and economy rate (6.55).
His radar is off with deliveries going wide on either side of the wicket and his length varying from half-tracker to way too full far too frequently.
Sean Abbott has warmed the bench throughout the entire tournament without getting a game so maybe it’s worth giving him a run against Bangladesh to see if he can be a more reliable option alongside Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
If they persist with Starc for the final group game in the hope that he can find some form, it wouldn’t be the worst idea to give Cummins or Hazlewood, or both, a rest to freshen up for the semi-final after wight straight matches bowling in the Indian heat on largely unhelpful decks.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Cummins’ bowling changes?
He’s trying to be proactive but it’s just not in his nature.
Cummins at least pulled the trigger early on Starc when pace wasn’t working in the opening power play against Afghanistan to change the tempo with Maxwell in a bid to slow the scoring rate.
But not for the first time this tournament he misjudged his calculations at the end and Hazlewood, easily their best and most economical bowler on the night, was not used when he still had an over up his sleeve.
Starc was brought back for two of the final three overs and was carted by Ibrahmim Zadran and Rashid Khan in finishing with the unflattering figures of 1-77 from nine.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
If you think that is textbook mansplaining you’ve been reading the wrong books, Ed. Unless you are woman?
Lukas
Roar Pro
Can’t agree…I’d say it’s our best chance probability wise of getting or chasing a competitive total. As far as batsman who can safely (or more safetly) nudge it around for 4-5 an over against the likes of Jadeja, they are our best. And we’re going to need to do that for at least 20 middle overs if we want to bat out the 50 in multiple scenarios. Someone like Maxwell can score at 10+ an over quite comfortably if he gets going, and more than make up for 20 overs of a run rate at 4-5. So sure, as far as the probability outcome “spread”, it will reduce the variance and standard deviation, meaning with Smith and Labs we’re less likely to get 300 plus. But….I would say we’re also a lot less likely to get bowled out sub 250. So in a final I’d take narrower spread with a lower ceiling, hands down. Put it another way, imagine how we’ll feel if we somehow knock India over for 270 and all of a sudden 5.5 runs and over will get it done, and we don’t have Smith and Labs.
Lukas
Roar Pro
Maybe not "raging", but the first match against India turned a lot....Jadeja to Smith...you don't tend to see that on most ODI wickets...
The Bush
Roar Guru
India don’t prepare the pitches, ICC does, which is why you haven’t seen any…
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Marnus and Smith both playing on a raging turner means we are no chance of 280-300
matth
Roar Guru
We may still have no idea who the best team is, but the selectors have actually been very consistent as to the pecking order. The only question they will have is Marnus or Stoinis
Mr Murray
Roar Rookie
Its going to be damn tough to beat them in the final when they inevitably serve up a day 6 turner instead of the roads the rest of the tournament has seen for Ashwin
Kim Philby OBE OL
Roar Rookie
A big difference between Inglis and Carey is that Carey is a south paw. Everyone in the Aussie middle order is a right hand bat. That means that in the middle overs against say a Jadeja, he can spin it away from the right handers and make them hit to the furthest part of the ground. If you have a leftie batting with a right hander you make it more difficult for the spinners at least on this level. The middle overs against spinners have been a huge weakness, that’s why I would play Carey over Inglis.
Lukas
Roar Pro
Obviously there's a balance in terms of rewarding form and not suffering ongoing mediocrity from top players, but personally I think it'd be madness to leave out Smith. And they quite simply won't. Firstly, yes, he's not in top form. But nor is he in bad form. This to me is case closed. The effect on morale would be too extreme. You just don't. No. Secondly, if we play India and they roll out the expected raging turner and we're batting first, we just must, absolutely must, accept a 280-300 score and give our bowlers a chance. This means pick Smith. And maybe Labs too. And if chasing, we need the punchers chance with the likes of Maxwell in the last 10. We can't be getting bowled out early. This is knock out phase cricket. We need guys who can ensure we bat out the 50 in trying batting conditions.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Me and the Guinness agree
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Dating sites are no good.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
Ps how good is Guinness on tap and reliving the joys of late 1980s Italian soccer!
The Bush
Roar Guru
Again, I'm not sure Inglis is the long term answer, but you have to view his career with a little sympathy; firstly his 40-odd against Sri Lanka was actually 58, so more like '60-odd', he did well against New Zealand, scoring 38 off only 28. He's failed his last two outings, but the scores in between those others were him coming in after huge totals and swinging for the rafters... at least he went at a good clip. It's been real hit or miss before that, but you're talking about his literal first year in the team, so I dunno how harsh I'd be. I would say this; there's nothing in his LA record to suggest he'll be any better than Carey - they average about the same. I don't have access to their strike rates at LA level, so unless Inglis' is much higher, I dunno what we gain other than a younger player. Honestly, I follow the Australian side, Queensland in the Shield and a very small amount of BBL; I wouldn't have a clue which keeper is killing it in the Marsh Cup...
redbackfan
Roar Rookie
i dont think they will change but Carey has shown he can perform in big games in the past, Inglis high point 40-odd against Sri Lanka, and an average of less than 20 after 14 ODI's is longer than some careers at this level. Phillipe not making runs again, Pierson still is, he could be next after this series.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
of course the true answer to your actual question, which bears no relationship to my post: do I genuinely thing Smith could be dropped in favour of Maaaaarnus? 1. I made no such claim. I said I would pick Marnus over Smith, for the role that you said we need someone to do. THEY will never stand for that. Smith spat it when he had to bat a ball later than he wanted. Imagine being left out... 2. He wouldn't be dropped. He's not in the team. 2.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
then you should read it again because it's pretty crystal clear the role you think Smith should play - Marnus just did it better than Smith therefore Marnus over Smith it's not that hard, surely?
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Sorry, wrong website
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Hey BG, I'm here for the laugh and the controversy, certainly not the dating
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Still lifting & separating a century later
Ed Flanders
Roar Rookie
I know enough, Dave. Why? The below passage: I think many feminists would agree that women should be treated as being on the same playing field in areas where they compete for the same thing, while making false equivalences in other areas, as you are doing, is patronising. Textbook mansplaining. It was astonishing how predictable that was going to be.