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2015 Cricket World Cup Preview
Even though he'll miss Saturday's opening match against England, it seems Michael Clarke has won his race against time to take his place in the Australian team, and he should be available for Australia's second pool match against Bangladesh.
But will he be able to slot straight back in to the dressing room? Reports coming out of the Australian camp are that the players were happy and relaxed under Steve Smith's leadership during the home Test series against India, yet officially he's still behind Clarke and George Bailey (who some think shouldn't even be in the team) in the one-day pecking order.
Australia have other concerns with James Faulkner injured. His ability to clear the fence late in the innings will surely be missed if he doesn't recover, so much so that Lehmann has actually flagged the possibility of playing Faulkner as a batsman. Glenn Maxwell found some form late in the tri-series after an erratic summer, and he will need to step up in the middle order.
Of the pool games not involving Australia, all eyes will be on India v Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval this Sunday in a match-up that is always fiercely contested and will stop the subcontinent.
South Africa have a strong side as always despite losing Smith and Kallis to retirement. They have a star-studded bowling attack and any batting line-up containing the likes of de Villiers, Amla, and Duminy can never be underestimated.
As for the other contenders, New Zealand should do well with the advantage of playing at home, though it's harder to make a case for the subcontinental sides in Australian conditions. The Poms look to be making up the numbers, and the Windies may spring a surprise or two along the way, but I'm expecting an Australia-South Africa final, and from there, who knows what will happen if recent history between the nations is anything to go by.
Australia Squad: Michael Clarke, George Bailey, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson
Australia Fixtures (Pool A):
Feb 14: England in Melbourne
Feb 21: Bangladesh in Brisbane
Feb 28: New Zealand in Auckland
Mar 4: Afghanistan in Perth
Mar 8: Sri Lanka in Sydney
Mar 14: Scotland in Hobart
Final
Mar 29, 2pm @ MCG
Even though he'll miss Saturday's opening match against England, it seems Michael Clarke has won his race against time to take his place in the Australian team, and he should be available for Australia's second pool match against Bangladesh.
But will he be able to slot straight back in to the dressing room? Reports coming out of the Australian camp are that the players were happy and relaxed under Steve Smith's leadership during the home Test series against India, yet officially he's still behind Clarke and George Bailey (who some think shouldn't even be in the team) in the one-day pecking order.
Australia have other concerns with James Faulkner injured. His ability to clear the fence late in the innings will surely be missed if he doesn't recover, so much so that Lehmann has actually flagged the possibility of playing Faulkner as a batsman. Glenn Maxwell found some form late in the tri-series after an erratic summer, and he will need to step up in the middle order.
Of the pool games not involving Australia, all eyes will be on India v Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval this Sunday in a match-up that is always fiercely contested and will stop the subcontinent.
South Africa have a strong side as always despite losing Smith and Kallis to retirement. They have a star-studded bowling attack and any batting line-up containing the likes of de Villiers, Amla, and Duminy can never be underestimated.
As for the other contenders, New Zealand should do well with the advantage of playing at home, though it's harder to make a case for the subcontinental sides in Australian conditions. The Poms look to be making up the numbers, and the Windies may spring a surprise or two along the way, but I'm expecting an Australia-South Africa final, and from there, who knows what will happen if recent history between the nations is anything to go by.
Australia Squad: Michael Clarke, George Bailey, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson
Australia Fixtures (Pool A):
Feb 14: England in Melbourne
Feb 21: Bangladesh in Brisbane
Feb 28: New Zealand in Auckland
Mar 4: Afghanistan in Perth
Mar 8: Sri Lanka in Sydney
Mar 14: Scotland in Hobart
Final
Mar 29, 2pm @ MCG
150 short of that target
