- May 14, 2017
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1) Khawaja has only played 20 ODIs since 2013, 4/year on average! However, he's opened 10 times and averages 40 in that poz, but only 32 @ #3. Maxwell has opened once, for 51n.o. His best results are at #5 (32 digs, nearly 34 avge @S.R. 122) but the 9 times he's batted at #7 he averages 49 @ 125 S.R. Maybe Langer is right ...?1) Finch they won't drop as captain, but out form against the new ball, need to drop him down the order to 4/5. Any of Khawaja, Stoinis or Maxwell can open, then shuffle the batting order.
2) We need wicket takers to win, so Zampa needs to come in, probably for Lyon.
3) Finch's form at the top of the order will be a concern against the swinging ball in England, but who else can captain?
4) Batting wise Smith returns (pending injury), but does Warner? Both Short & Head offer useful part-time bowling options & we need more explosive batsmen.
5) Assume our 3 test bowlers will be in the squad, but are they the best option?
2) and 5) Starc s-h-o-u-l-d be deadly in English conditions with a Max. of 10 overs to bowl provided he gets his line right with the swinging ball. Starc's fast, swinging yorkers will often remove 1 or 2 top-order batsmen and 2 or 3 of the tail. Cummins and Hazelwood are second- and third-best options for pace and accuracy. I like Zampa for Lyon, too, but Maxwell is useful for 4-6 overs as batting all-rounder. How's Pattinson coming along?
3) Who's the keeper for the World Cup, Carey? So, not Carey as Captain. Options: Finch (totally out of form with the bat, he's gotta close that gate), Khawaja (captains Qld), maybe Shaun Marsh , even Head? Tbh, I'm still not a fan of Khawaja as a ODI option, especially in England where he's often overlooked altogether) preferring Short or Head (as you say, both can bowl a bit and are explosive batsmen when IN).
4) Is Warner still on the nose, suspension served? He's a ODI match-winner, but will Langer welcome him without several tight behavioural conditions? Hard to ignore his record as ODI opener (43 @ 96 S.R. http://www.howstat.com/cricket/Statistics/Players/PlayerPositions_ODI.asp?PlayerID=3637).
Smith's an automatic choice for #3 (avges nearly 53 @ 85 S.R. in that poz in 53/94 games), hope his elbow's going to be OK.
Khawaja struggles against seam and swing of which he could expect a lot in England. I won't be surprised if he doesn't make the World Cup squad. Any of Maxwell/Short/Head are better options imo.