Rolling World Cup squad thread

[JackOutback]

No way both Warner and Smith sit on the pine.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Amazing the difference a month of cricket makes. There is no way Smith and Warner miss on the final 11. A month ago we couldnt wait to get them in

 

[Toe Poke]

It's getting increasingly difficult to work out how to select 7 of
Finch
Khawaja
SMarsh
Handscomb
Maxwell
Stoinis
Carey
Warner
Smith

into a team for the World Cup, which needs to include one wicketkeeper, and at least one (but preferably more) bowling options.

I'm starting to think that Carey might be forced out, due to the strong batting form shown by Finch/Khawaja/SMarsh/Handscomb.
Stoinis and Maxwell haven't performed as well with the bat, but they are partially selected for the bowling options they provide, and I don't see them as direct competition with Carey.

As much as I liked Finch's 1 for 41 last night, I don't think Australia would want to rely upon Finch/Smith/Warner for too many overs in the World Cup.

 

[cricketnut14]

It's getting increasingly difficult to work out how to select 7 of
Finch
Khawaja
SMarsh
Handscomb
Maxwell
Stoinis
Carey
Warner
Smith

into a team for the World Cup, which needs to include one wicketkeeper, and at least one (but preferably more) bowling options.

I'm starting to think that Carey might be forced out, due to the strong batting form shown by Finch/Khawaja/SMarsh/Handscomb.
Stoinis and Maxwell haven't performed as well with the bat, but they are partially selected for the bowling options they provide, and I don't see them as direct competition with Carey.

As much as I liked Finch's 1 for 41 last night, I don't think Australia would want to rely upon Finch/Smith/Warner for too many overs in the World Cup.

I still think the above 9 can make the final squad of 15, with the last 6 spots going to the bowlers (whether it means 1 or 2 spinners).

The top 7 is tricky and a bit of a balancing act like you said as we need to find a minimum of 10 overs (maybe 12-15 overs) out of them and include a wicketkeeper. Then if Smith & Warner come back as they should and Finch captains the side it really leaves one spot for Khawaja/SMarsh and Handscomb (if he aint the keeper). It's either that or one of Maxwell/Stoinis gets squeezed out which will mean Finch/Smith will definitely have to chip in with a few overs.

 

[Toe Poke]

I still think the above 9 can make the final squad of 15, with the last 6 spots going to the bowlers (whether it means 1 or 2 spinners).

The top 7 is tricky and a bit of a balancing act like you said as we need to find a minimum of 10 overs (maybe 12-15 overs) out of them and include a wicketkeeper. Then if Smith & Warner come back as they should and Finch captains the side it really leaves one spot for Khawaja/SMarsh and Handscomb (if he aint the keeper). It's either that or one of Maxwell/Stoinis gets squeezed out which will mean Finch/Smith will definitely have to chip in with a few overs.

Yes I think we're in agreement. Currently my team for the first World Cup match would include a top 7 of Finch, Khawaja, Warner, Smith, Handscomb, Stoinis, Maxwell. With SMarsh very unlucky to miss out, and Carey also unlucky to miss out. But there's plenty of time between now and then, and I'll probably change my mind a hundred times between now and then ...

 

[cricketnut14]

Yes I think we're in agreement. Currently my team for the first World Cup match would include a top 7 of Finch, Khawaja, Warner, Smith, Handscomb, Stoinis, Maxwell. With SMarsh very unlucky to miss out, and Carey also unlucky to miss out. But there's plenty of time between now and then, and I'll probably change my mind a hundred times between now and then ...

yeah I think that's the 7. which then begs the question do you take Carey at all (big risk I know). We may be better off with a Mitch Marsh on the bench.

 

[Toe Poke]

yeah I think that's the 7. which then begs the question do you take Carey at all (big risk I know). We may be better off with a Mitch Marsh on the bench.

A big factor in that decision would be the rules about replacing injured players. If teams are allowed to replace an injured player during the tournament with someone from outside their squad of 15, then Australia could leave Carey out of the squad, and not worry about a hypothetical injury to Handscomb. So in that situation, I agree - Mitch Marsh (or Turner) might be a better player to have on the bench.

I wonder then - are the Australian selectors thinking about these issues now? If yes, I wonder if the selectors will give Handscomb a game (or multiple games) against Pakistan as the wicketkeeper? Otherwise he'll just have the two practice matches before the tournament to put on the gloves in a game day scenario.

 

[cricketnut14]

A big factor in that decision would be the rules about replacing injured players. If teams are allowed to replace an injured player during the tournament with someone from outside their squad of 15, then Australia could leave Carey out of the squad, and not worry about a hypothetical injury to Handscomb. So in that situation, I agree - Mitch Marsh might be a better player to have on the bench.

Looks like Turner, Behrendorf , K.Richardson are almost out of contention for a spot in the 15 now, not having played in this current series.

J.Richardson in jeopardy may now see one of those quicks or a Hazlewood make the 15, or even allow both Zampa and Lyon now.

 

[Kram]

When does Maxwell have to start to feel like making some runs or does he still have a golden pass around here?

 

[Toe Poke]

Looks like Turner, Behrendorf , K.Richardson are almost out of contention for a spot in the 15 now, not having played in this current series.

J.Richardson in jeopardy may now see one of those quicks or a Hazlewood make the 15, or even allow both Zampa and Lyon now.

The funny thing about Turner is that he scored a man-of-the-match and game-winning 84 from 43 balls in his first match, then 20 from 20 balls in his second match. He was then dropped, and remains on the bench. My current squad of 15 would be:

Finch, Khawaja, Warner, Smith, Maxwell, Handscomb, Stoinis
Cummins, Starc, Jhye Richardson, Zampa

S Marsh, Turner, Hazlewood, Lyon

Missed out:
Carey, Coulter-Nile, Behrendorff, Kane Richardson, Mitch Marsh

If Jhye and/or Hazlewood are unavailable then Coulter-Nile can take their place in the squad.

 

[Toe Poke]

When does Maxwell have to start to feel like making some runs or does he still have a golden pass around here?

He's not just in the team for his batting - he's a much better sixth bowler than Smith or Finch. (I doubt Finch will take 1 for 41 from 10 overs in each match he plays)

 

[Voice of the G]

He's not just in the team for his batting - he's a much better sixth bowler than Smith or Finch. (I doubt Finch will take 1 for 41 from 10 overs in each match he plays)

I think Maxwell's last 2 innings he has been run out.Needs a big score to stay in the 11 though but as you said his bowling and fielding are important for the team.

 

[Westend]

Gutted for Jhye.......shoulder popped back I easily according to reports

Lets hope its not too long out

 

[JackOutback]

And Warner whacks 85 off 53 in the IPL to remind people what he's capable of.

I just can't believe people are leaving SMarsh out, our best ODI player for a year, had a couple of failures on the back of having a baby and joining the tour late, smacks 100 when recalled. He's one of the first picked for mine. He should play ahead of Handscomb; if that means bringing in Carey and one of the all rounders (Maxwell/Stoinis) miss out, so be it.

 

[eddiesmith]

Because some shitty domestic league is proof that a player is a gun...

In that case, pick Lynn and Short and Wade and all those big bash guns, that'll win the World Cup!!!

 

[JackOutback]

Because some shitty domestic league is proof that a player is a gun...

In that case, pick Lynn and Short and Wade and all those big bash guns, that'll win the World Cup!!!

No, a career average of 43 across more than 100 games shows he's a gun, whacking 85 in his first game back in the strongest domestic league in the world is just a reminder for those that may have forgot in the past year. I don't like Warner as a person, but he's a world class bat.

 

[Toe Poke]

And Warner whacks 85 off 53 in the IPL to remind people what he's capable of.

I just can't believe people are leaving SMarsh out, our best ODI player for a year, had a couple of failures on the back of having a baby and joining the tour late, smacks 100 when recalled. He's one of the first picked for mine. He should play ahead of Handscomb; if that means bringing in Carey and one of the all rounders (Maxwell/Stoinis) miss out, so be it.

I'd prefer someone better than Smith/Finch as Australia's sixth bowling option, hence why I'd prefer both Maxwell and Stoinis to play.
Having said that, I don't quite understand your logic of S Marsh "should play ahead of Handscomb; if that means bringing in Carey". Why not play Handscomb as the wicketkeeper and leave Carey out entirely?

 

[eddiesmith]

No, a career average of 43 across more than 100 games shows he's a gun, whacking 85 in his first game back in the strongest domestic league in the world is just a reminder for those that may have forgot in the past year. I don't like Warner as a person, but he's a world class bat.

He is a world class player who wont have faced world class bowling in over a year when the World Cup rolls around

Anyway the good thing for Australia with the format of this world cup having 9 preliminary round games means they will probably give the entire squad a couple of games at least to see what works best for finals

 

[eddiesmith]

I'd prefer someone better than Smith/Finch as Australia's sixth bowling option, hence why I'd prefer both Maxwell and Stoinis to play.
Having said that, I don't quite understand your logic of S Marsh "should play ahead of Handscomb; if that means bringing in Carey". Why not play Handscomb as the wicketkeeper and leave Carey out entirely?

Both Smith and Finch have much better e/rs than Stoinis so you're actually better off with them than Stoinis bowling

 

[JackOutback]

I'd prefer someone better than Smith/Finch as Australia's sixth bowling option, hence why I'd prefer both Maxwell and Stoinis to play.
Having said that, I don't quite understand your logic of S Marsh "should play ahead of Handscomb; if that means bringing in Carey". Why not play Handscomb as the wicketkeeper and leave Carey out entirely?

There's not enough spots to have Warner, Finch, Khawaja, SMarsh, Smith, Handscomb, Maxwell and Stoinis. You're trying to fit eight players into 7. Handscomb wouldn't be in my team as a keeper, which means I have to fit Carey in, but I still have the same problem of eight going into 7.

Warner, Khawaja, SMarsh, Smith, Finch, Maxwell/Stoinis, Carey, Cummins, Starc, Zampa Hazlewood is probably my preferred XI, but it does leave the issue of sixth bowler, as you pointed out.

 

[BlueandGoldforever]

And Warner whacks 85 off 53 in the IPL to remind people what he's capable of.

I just can't believe people are leaving SMarsh out, our best ODI player for a year, had a couple of failures on the back of having a baby and joining the tour late, smacks 100 when recalled. He's one of the first picked for mine. He should play ahead of Handscomb; if that means bringing in Carey and one of the all rounders (Maxwell/Stoinis) miss out, so be it.

Totally agree. Shaun Marsh has been a standout in ODI’s for more than a year. He is a lock for me to bat at no.3. I think Handscomb might be unlucky not to make the final 15.

 

[toml]

Any merit in batting Finch at 4? He still looked scratchy against the quicks early last night before going on to belt the slow bowlers. Still not convinced better bowlers wont still be able to work him over. If he bats at 4 he will almost definitely be protected from that 5-10 over period where the white ball actually swings and more often than not will come in after 15 overs or so when the slow bowlers are likely to be used. Probably would have to have Handscomb take the gloves in order to squeeze him in though.

Khawaja
Warner
Smith/Smarsh
Finch
Handscomb
Maxwell (Can float up the order if required)
Stoinis
Bowlers

Not sure.

 

[eddiesmith]

Any merit in batting Finch at 4? He still looked scratchy against the quicks early last night before going on to belt the slow bowlers. Still not convinced better bowlers wont still be able to work him over. If he bats at 4 he will almost definitely be protected from that 5-10 over period where the white ball actually swings and more often than not will come in after 15 overs or so when the slow bowlers are likely to be used. Probably would have to have Handscomb take the gloves in order to squeeze him in though.

Khawaja
Warner
Smith/Smarsh
Finch
Handscomb
Maxwell (Can float up the order if required)
Stoinis
Bowlers

Not sure.

No, he has the 2nd most centuries of any current player in Australia, all of them opening the batting and you want to move him?

Its just bad luck Khawaja, he will have to hope one of the top 3 gets hurt

 

[Oaktree]

Good post!

Team morale is paramount to a successful World Cup. Things are going fantastic for the playing group now. Bringing in Smith and Warner automatically into the XI can quite seriously change that.

It is very unlikely they miss the squad.

They can rotate the batting order throughout the tournament.

Batting Squad (inc wk):

Finch
Khawaja
S Marsh
Handscomb
Maxwell
Stoinis
Carey (wk)
Smith (reserve)
Warner (reserve)

Bowling Squad:

J Richardson
Starc
Cummins
Coulter-Nile (reserve)
Zampa

Final position may go to Lyon (reserve). Think Hazelwood and Turner would be the other chances.

 

[Westend]

Totally agree. Shaun Marsh has been a standout in ODI’s for more than a year. He is a lock for me to bat at no.3. I think Handscomb might be unlucky not to make the final 15.

We must remember that the WC is being played in England....different conditions than the subcontinent

Handscomb is a good player of spin but has questions marks against him against pace/swing

he will be the unlucky one to miss out