Cricket - My 16 Man Australian ODI Squad (If the 2019 WC In England Was Next Week)
1. David Warner - Established opening batsman in all three formats of the game. Warner will be disappointed with only one half century and one century from his last eleven games, but he is too good a player to not bounce back. Over one hundred ODIs to his name at an average of 44, strike rate of 96, and 14 centuries prove he is a world class player at this format.
2. Aaron Finch - It's time to put the Finch debate to bed, after his two centuries and one half century from three games against England at the top of the order. Finch is experienced and explosive and, whilst his form can fluctuate, he is a dominant player when in good nick. His average of 38 is more than handy and, like Warner, he has a strike rate over 90.
3. Usman Khawaja - I just think it's time the Australian selectors put full faith in Usman as, for me, he is one of the best three batsmen in the country alongside Steve Smith and David Warner. Shane Watson said it best - you don't get world class players come along all the time and, when you do, you put full faith in them and give them an extended run to showcase their skills. Khawaja has a moderate ODI record, averaging 31 from 18 games, however I think he has proved over the past couple years he can be really inventive and dominant in white ball cricket. His List A record is outstanding averaging 45 with 9 centuries at a strike rate of 86. In English conditions I think you need to pick your best batsman not just pinch hitters at number 3. I conceed if they want someone explosive at number 3 Khawaja would easily be edged out for someone like Lynn, Short or Maddinson.
4. Steve Smith - I like the move of Smith to Number 4 as it allows someone like a Khawaja to enter the team in a top order position. Smith can easily be Australia's Michael Clarke of controlling an innings, playing at different tempos depending on the situations. He has had a wretched run, for his standards, with just 3 half centuries from the last 13 games. However, his average of 42 and strike rate of 86 is perfect for the Number 4 position. I expect him to bounce back with some big scores just around the corner.
5. Glenn Maxwell - There has been a lot of debate around Maxwell, but there is no doubt his ODI form has been poor over the past couple of seasons so I can understand him being dropped. However, I think this summer he has really knuckled down, batting some long and patient innings in Shield Cricket, and holding together a struggling Melbourne Stars' outfit in the middle order. In 80 ODIs, his average at 32 could be better but his strike rate of 123 is phenomenal. I don't think Australia can afford to be leaving a player of his calibre out, now it's up to Maxwell to deliver.
6. Marcus Stoinis - Stoinis has really burst on to the scene this year, with some spectacular ODI performances in an Australian side that has been struggling to win games. He could not be doing much more than averaging 66 from 11 games, with a strike rate of 107, and has really salvaged Australia from poor positions on a number of occasions. He has struggled with the ball, however his seamers are an all-round option as he develops greater variations and control. Looks an intelligent cricketer despite the big, burly appearance.
7. Alex Carey - I just think Carey is clearly the heir apparent to Tim Paine, and what better way to establish himself than take the gloves in the ODI side for a couple of years, while Paine can concentrate on Test Cricket and keep himself fresh and fit. Carey has been super impressive in BBL7 opening the batting, and, whilst he isn't ready to do that for Australia, he can be more explosive than Paine at Number 7. Carey has proved both inventive and powerful with his stroke range, and been equally effective against pace and spin.
8. Pat Cummins - Cummins picks himself really, despite the fact he can go around the park at times. He has proved, over the last 13 months, that his body is now up to the rigours of international cricket, and he is as fit as a fiddle. He is a genuine wicket taker with 60 wickets from 38 ODIs, and his economy rate, whilst high at 5.47, is respectable enough for a strike bowler. He's also a gun in the field, and can add some late order hitting.
9. Nathan Lyon - Nathon Lyon is the best spinner in the country by a long way, and I think it's time to put full faith in him as the Number 1 spinner ahead of the 2018 World Cup. Lyon has bowled exceptionally well over the past 18 months, and seems to ooze confidence now, not only with his bowling, but with his general demeanour and the way he speaks about attacking batsmen. It's been a bit of a mystery why he has only played 13 ODIs, as he is going for only 4.93 runs per over, at an average of 34. We need an attacking spinner that can take wickets in the middle overs, as well as control the tempo of batting innings, and Lyon is a senior player capable of doing that.
10. Mitchell Starc - Starc is Australia's pace leader and he has proved deadly with the white ball over the past couple of years. He was a key factor in Australia winning the World Cup on home soil, and he has a truly remarkable ODI record with 140 wickets in just 71 games, at a great average of 20, and economy rate of 4.9.
11. Josh Hazlewood - Hazlewood has blossomed in both Test Cricket and ODI Cricket over the past couple of years, as he has enjoyed a relatively injury free run. He should really enjoy the conditions in England if there is a bit of nip around the wickets. Hazlewood has a good record in ODIs, with 66 wickets in 39 games, with an average of 24 and economy rate of just 4.72.
THE BACK-UPS
12. Mitchell Marsh - Marsh has really blossomed in Test Cricket this summer, and has looked in good touch in the ODIs. He would be pretty stiff to miss the starting 11 but three all rounders don't go into two spots. His record in pretty good for a Number 6, averaging 36, with a strike rate over 90, so I think you could make a case he deserves to bat ahead of Maxwell. He just hits the ball so hard and, on small grounds, is really capable of clearing the ropes. He also looks to be giving himself more time to play himself in. I am not convinced by his ODI bowling, but he provides a 4th seam option.
13. Travis Head - I would pick Head in the squad as I think he is a very similar player to Glenn Maxwell, just not quite as good in my opinion. Head has a good record averaging 35 from 32 games, however, for mine, struggled in the Number 4 role. His strike rate of 87 is fine, but nowhere near Maxwell's of 123. His bowling is part time and no better than that.
14. Nic Maddinson - Maddinson could really be the smokey to be entrusted to be Australia's next Number 3. He is a different player to Khawaja and his good 50 over from for NSW should not be ignored. It's more recent and more established then someone like a Lynn or Short. He is one of Steve Smith's good mates and a player of freakish talent when at his best. He has never really had a consistent run of form, however he was exceptional in the past two domestic 50-over competitions. With a good list average of 38, and strike rate close to 90, he could fit the bill as a Number 3 that doesn't always come off, but can get the side off to a fast start.
15. Ashton Agar - I think Agar is one of the most improved players in the country and should be the Number 2 spinner behind Nathan Lyon. He has demonstrated greater control and subtleties in his bowling in the BBL, and in his recent appearances in Bangladesh for Australia in the Test series. He is also growing in confidence as a Number 8 batsman capable of clearing the ropes and manipulating the ball around.
16. Billy Stanlake - Big Billy would have to be my pace bowling back-up as I think, at his best, he could really put pressure on some of the more established bowlers. He bowls over 145km per over and, with his towering height, gets searing bounce. He didn't have a happy time in his two ODIs last summer, but I think he is definitely worth another look. The main thing is keeping him injury free.
OUT
Adam Zampa - I just think Zampa might have run his race at International level for now. He didn't bowl terribly in the first two ODIs, however, for me, he looked to be bowling defensively for singles and didn't look overall threatening. Tampa has a decent record in ODI cricket, however it has tailed off of late, and the fact he doesn't really turn his leg break makes him a limited commodity on flat and hard wickets. Last night at the SCG should have been a surface and situation where Zampa should have gone at less than 5 runs per over. However, England relished attacking him, as he took 1/55 from 9 overs.
Tim Paine - I think Tim Paine has been excellent this summer. He is an outstanding wicketkeeper and has looked classy and composed at the crease, making a number of key contributions. However, I would keep him fresh for Test Cricket. His body has let him down a fair bit and, I believe, as a Number 7 in ODI cricket, he is limited with his power game and ability to score boundaries.
Andrew Tye - A strange selection for me, as in my opinion he is is a specialist T20 bowler. He does his best work at the death of T20 games, when batsmen are trying to score 10 runs per over. He does have great variations, but I don't see him as a genuine wicket taker in the longer formats.
Cameron White - I feel sorry for Cameron White, as he was recalled and never given a clear role. He carried the drinks, before batting at Number 7, then at Number 3 in Sydney. I think, with Steve Smith moving to Number 4, Australia are going to look for a more explosive Number 3 and, although White remains a class player, I think his recall could be short lived.
Chris Lynn - I am concerned about Lynn's injuries, however, if he gets himself fully fit, I don't think you can leave a player as explosive as Lynn out of the touring party. Lynn has been a monster in the T20 Big Bash the past couple of years, but has not played much cricket outside of that through injuries. With a T20 strike rate of 148, Lynn only has to come off once every three or four games to be a match winner, and I think selectors will persist with him.
D'Arcy Short - Has been phenomenal in BBL7 breaking a record by scoring over 500 runs so far this season. I just need to see more from him in 50 over cricket to elevate him into this side however he tick plenty of boxes so I wouldn't be at all surprised if the selectors went that way.
Shaun Marsh - Again, Marsh is a very good white ball player but, at 34 years of age, his body doesn't need to be running around in the field in 50-over cricket. Australia can get 2-3 more good years out of Marsh in Test Cricket, and I would keep him fresh for that. He is a risk in a tournament format with injuries.
Jhye Richardson - A good young fast bowler who did really well on debut the other night. His BBL bowling suggests he can go around the park though, and I just couldn't fit him in.