Predicting the Australia ODI Team That Starts the 2015 World Cup
For the first time in 23 years, Australia will contest a World Cup on home soil, with the hosts looking to claim their fourth title in five attempts when cricket's showpiece event travels Down Under in 2015.
Boasting an incredible depth of talent and having dominated international cricket earlier in the year with victories over England and South Africa, Australia will certainly be one of the heavy favourites to collect the trophy in the comfort of home.
Preparations, of course, are well underway, with Clarke's side ready to embark on a packed schedule that includes matches against Pakistan, South Africa, England and India between now and February, helping the team to discover its best lineup.
Across the following slides, we predict the XI that will kickstart Australia's World Cup campaign.
1. Aaron Finch
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In the last 12 months of one-day international cricket, no Australian player has been more prolific with the bat than the hard-hitting Aaron Finch.
Across 21 matches, the strong right-hander has thumped 917 runs at an average of 45.85, doing so at a strike rate of 89.99, per ESPN Cricinfo.
At the top of the order, Finch is capable of immense destruction inside the first powerplay, often setting the innings up for those who follow.
And while slower, turning pitches have caused the Australian some concern in recent times, that's unlikely to be a problem at next year's World Cup.
2. David Warner
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David Warner is the obvious candidate to fill the second opening slot alongside Aaron Finch for the 2015 World Cup, given the success the pair enjoyed during the one-day international series that followed last winter's Ashes contest.
Blessed with immense power and the sort of combative disposition that gets under the skin of opponents, the left-hander will likely be among the tournament's most influential players.
That chippiness and ability to counter-attack means Warner is also one of the batsmen captain Michael Clarke will rely upon should Australia face any back-to-the-wall situations.
3. Shane Watson
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There are some concerns regarding Shane Watson's capacity to complete a full World Cup campaign, with the all-rounder still plagued by injuries.
On Sunday, Brydon Coverdale of ESPN Cricinfo reported that Watson will miss Australia's tour of the UAE with a calf injury, continuing the soft-tissue problems that limited his involvement in his nation's triumphant tour of South Africa earlier in the year.
But Watson's workload will be carefully managed between now and then, with a view to ensuring the 33-year-old is fit and firing for Australia's World Cup opener against England on February 14.
Provided he's healthy, Watson will certainly take his place in the team, given that there are few more valuable all-rounders in limited-overs cricket than the explosive Queenslander.
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4. Michael Clarke
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Like Shane Watson, Michael Clarke is currently battling with his body more than he is with opposing bowlers, scrambling to overcome a hamstring injury in time to face Pakistan in Australia's tour of the UAE, according to Malcom Conn of The Daily Telegraph.
But should the injury cloud continue to linger, a longer-term view will be taken with Clarke to ensure his presence for the 2015 World Cup.
And at his finest, the Australia captain is a critical member of his nation's 50-over side, balancing the team's array of power hitters with finesse and nous—the sort of qualities that make him the ideal batsman to build around.
5. George Bailey
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It seems unlikely that George Bailey will ever enjoy a lengthy Test career for Australia, but his presence in the one-day international arena isn't about to end anytime soon.
Since coming into the 50-over side in 2012, the right-hander has been an extraordinary source of consistency, racing to 1,772 runs from just 44 matches at an average of 49.22.
Impressively, the Tasmanian has shrugged aside the perception that his game is somewhat limited to blast those runs at a strike rate of 91.10.
Likely to hold down the No. 5 slot, Bailey will be a key cog in Australia's middle order.
6. Glenn Maxwell
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Few players have enjoyed a more spectacular ride in limited-overs cricket in 2014 than Australia's Glenn Maxwell.
Following a strong domestic season, the right-hander put together a superb tournament at the ICC World Twenty20 before putting together an almost unprecedented exhibition of hitting in this year's edition of the Indian Premier League.
Now a permanent fixture in Australia's middle order, Maxwell will be the man his team turns to for unrivalled bursts of ferocious stroke play.
7. Brad Haddin
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It's likely that the 2015 World Cup will be Brad Haddin's last one-day international event, given that the wicket-keeper will be 37 when the tournament begins.
Vastly experienced, gritty and versatile with the bat, the vice-captain will definitely be his side's primary gloveman for the event, bringing leadership and dependability to Australia's explosive lineup.
Perhaps Haddin's finest quality is his ability to thrive under pressure—something that was made extremely evident during the 2013-14 Ashes series.
Thus, Haddin can be trusted to haul the hosts out of any tight situations that may arrive during their World Cup quest.
8. James Faulkner
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James Faulkner's recent limited-overs form hasn't quite been to the standard we've come to expect from the Australian all-rounder, but his versatility remains critical to Michael Clarke's side.
Clever changes of pace with the ball have made the left-armer a key bowler in the 50-over format, while his hard-hitting ways in the lower order with the bat have proved invaluable to his team, most notably in his spectacular innings against India in Mohali and England in Brisbane.
Equally skilled in both disciplines, Faulkner's presence ensures Australia's lineup possesses depth in both key areas, making him an obvious pick for the team's World Cup campaign.
9. Mitchell Johnson
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Returning to the grounds on which he terrorised England in last winter's Ashes contest, Mitchell Johnson will undoubtedly lead Australia's attack in the approaching World Cup.
Armed with the blistering pace that can intimidate the typically bullish batsmen of the limited-overs arenas, the left-armer will be called upon to deliver the shock factor for Michael Clarke.
Of course, the bowling restrictions of the 50-over game mean Johnson can't physically impose himself to the same extent as he can on the Test stage, but his recent one-day international record suggests he's still capable of thriving with the white ball as well as the red one.
10. Ryan Harris
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Ryan Harris is still completing his comeback from the knee surgery that quickly followed his heroics against South Africa in Cape Town, but Australia coach Darren Lehmann has already given his backing for the bustling right-armer to feature in the nation's World Cup campaign.
While Harris hasn't been seen in one-day internationals for almost two years in an effort to preserve his fragile body, his exacting ways would perfectly complement Mitchell Johnson's fire in Australia's new-ball combination.
Provided he's fit, the 34-year-old will feature strongly for Australia, who won't be looking to save players for future series in the middle of a World Cup.
11. Nathan Lyon
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Nathan Lyon has worked his way back into Australia's one-day international side recently, playing a leading role in his nation's 50-over triangular series in Zimbabwe.
Operating with his characteristic control and accuracy, the finger-spinner claimed seven wickets in four matches in the series, doing so at an economy rate of just 4.86.
As Australia look to identify their strong attack, those performances should prove beneficial to Lyon, who has continued to improve on the international stage with every match across the last 12 months.
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