Smith and Warner are back as Australia’s Cricket World Cup 2019 squad is confirmed
Australia’s Cricket World Cup 2019 squad was announced on 15th April with surprise, surprise Steve Smith and David Warner back in the international cricket fold.
A jubilant chairman of the selectors, Trevor Hohns, commented to the effect that the return of “world-class players David Warner and Steve Smith” would help Australia lift the World Cup. He added, “….and it has been pleasing to see them produce some good form in the IPL.”
As a footnote to that comment: Warner currently tops the Indian Premier League (IPL) run-scoring charts having hit a ridiculously high 692 runs in his twelve matches as an opener, including one century and eight 50s.
While Smith has not been quite as abundant, he has still managed to knock up 319 runs in11 matches with an average of 39.87 and a highest score of 73 not out.
Overall the Australian ODI side is currently in excellent form, having won eight games on the trot. In the first instance that phenomenal comeback from a 2-0 deficit, to defeat India 3-2 in the February/March five-match series. This was followed by an overwhelming 5-0 victory against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Judging by his comments Trevor Hohns is understandably delighted at the performance.
“We have been extremely pleased with how the ODI squad has been building over the past six months,” he told media.
“I know this squad is focused on playing a brand of cricket which can help us in our ambition to win another World Cup title,” Hohns concluded.
Australia squad members will convene in Brisbane on May the 2nd to participate in a training camp, in advance of three practice matches to be played against a New Zealand XI at Allan Border Field.
Australia World Cup squad: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Glen Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jhye Richardson
Smith and Warner return to international cricket in all its forms following twelve-month bans for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal that blew up in South Africa last year.
However, this leaves no room for Peter Handscomb, Ashton Turner or Kane Richardson, all of whom took part in the tour of India and the UAE in March. Handscomb’s omission is the major puzzle, with a simply stellar performance in 2019, averaging 43.54 hit off close to 100 balls. Also the cornerstone of Australia’s series win in India, with an outstanding 117 in Mohali which set up Australia’s highest successful ODI chase of all time.
Meanwhile Mitchell Starc and Jhye Richardson are named in the squad subject to fitness; if either were ultimately not fit it would weaken the side. Nevertheless one can only assume that the selectors must be fairly confident of a return to full fitness before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 by including them in the squad in the first place.
Fast bowler, Josh Hazelwood who has been battling a back injury that has kept him out of cricket misses out full stop, but is included in an Australia ‘A’ squad also set to tour England at the same time as the World Cup and play fixtures against county sides, a move which Trevor Hohns explains has an emphasis on having Hazlewood fit and ready for the Ashes.
A highlights trawl through Australia’s squad members:
Specialist Batsmen: David Warner, Aaron Finch (ODIs 109, batting average 39.33. highest score 153 not out), Usman Khawaja (ODIs 31, batting average 44.21 highest score 104), Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh (ODIs 71, batting average 41.62 highest score 151).
All-rounders: Glenn Maxwell (100 ODIs, batting average 33.33, highest score 102, right arm off-break 50 wickets, best bowling figures 4 for 46), Marcus Stoinis(33 ODIs, batting average 38.52, highest score 146, right-arm medium 26 wickets, best bowling figures 3 for 16), Alex Carey (wicketkeeper – batsman: 19 ODIs, batting average 30.64, highest score 55).
In what might be considered a surprisingly chancy move, Australia has named Alex Carey as the lone specialist wicketkeeper in its World Cup fifteen. Therefore, Carey will not only have to bear the responsibility of keeping wicket without a back-up, but also take extra care not to injure himself.
Bowlers: Pat Cummins (82 wickets in 48 ODI matches, best bowling figures 5 for 70), Mitchell Starc (145 wickets in 75 ODI matches, best bowling figures 6 for 48), Jason Behrendorff (7 wickets in 6 ODI matches, best bowling figures 4 for 48), Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa, Nathan Coulter-Nile (48 wickets in 27 ODI matches, best bowling figures 3 for 63), Jhye Richardson (24 wickets in 12 ODI matches, best bowling figures 4 for 26).
Finally set to make his maiden appearance at the World Cup, is Nathan Lyon for so long used as Australia’s wicket-taker of choice in Test Matches, he is in fact, after Shane Warne, the Baggy Green’s most successful spinner in Test cricket (Test match innings 164, wickets 363, best figures 8 for 50; 25 ODI matches, 26 wickets, best bowling figures 4 for 44). Although Adam Zampa’s leg-spin might still remain first choice in the one-day game (60 wickets in 44 ODI matches, best bowling figures 4 for 43) Lyon is a more than worthy inclusion.
The Baggy Greens head to England for the tournament which begins on May the 30th to defend the World Cup title they won on home soil four years ago, Australia’s 5th success in the competition. It looks like it will be a long summer for the Aussies as the competition is immediately followed by an Ashes tour. They play their first World Cup match against Afghanistan in Bristol on June the 1st.
Interesting overall selection approach, which the more cynical observer might say appears to be aimed at ensuring a smooth return for Warner and Smith, not least the absence of a replacement for a wicketkeeper with a good batting average but only 19 ODIs under his belt. And above all the omission of Peter Handscomb in such scintillating form is a considerable mystery. There are also questions of the wisdom of including two mainstream bowlers, who were still to reach full fitness when the announcement was made.
That said players of the calibre of Warner and Smith will always make a difference and to be fair this is undoubtedly one of the Aussies strongest batting line-ups for a good while, complete with the majesty of Finch, Khawaja and Marsh. All of whom will be ably supported by two top all-rounders: Glenn Maxwell and the totally in form Marcus Stoinis. And of course last but not least the inclusion of spin bowler supreme Nathan Lyon, an absolute no brainer
Expat Sport’s Mac McTiernan examines the Australian ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 squad as the selectors make some interesting calls and ensure the presence of Warner and Smith.
