Predicting the Australia XI for the Opening Game of the 2015 World Cup
With a bevy of big-hitting batsmen, the most dangerous fast bowler in cricket and home advantage, Australia are justifiably favourites to win the 2015 World Cup.
The Aussies already look in good order and returned to the top of the ICC ODI Rankings following their three-nil whitewash over Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
Some questions do remain about their World Cup line-up, though. Will Michael Clarke and Shane Watson stay clear of injury? Will the selectors opt for a specialist spinner or rely on Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell? Will George Bailey see off challenges from the likes of Phil Hughes and Mitchell Marsh?
Read on to see who we expect to be taking the field against England on 14 February 2015.
1. David Warner
1 of 11
ODIs 45
Runs 1,415; average 32.15, strike rate 82.50
Cricket Australia granted David Warner permission to miss the tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa after the opener said “the batteries are slowly draining”.
That decision looks like being a wise one given the string of good scores Warner made on the tour to the UAE against Pakistan.
Extremely dangerous on his day, the 27-year-old will be given to licence at the top of the order. A left-hand, right-hand partnership with Aaron Finch should be great to watch.
2. Aaron Finch
2 of 11
ODIs 31
Runs 1,054; average 35.13; strike rate 86.89
Wickets 2; average 22.50; economy rate 5.19
Aaron Finch may not be as destructive in the ODI game as he is in Twenty20 cricket, but he can still get Australia off to a flier.
The 27-year-old has four centuries to his name in 31 ODIs, and scores his runs as a very healthy lick. If he jells with fellow opener David Warner the results could be spectacular.
3. Shane Watson
3 of 11
ODIs 173
Runs 5,256; average 41.06; strike rate 90.20
Wickets 163; average 30.26; economy rate 4.87
If the oft-injured Shane Watson can prove his fitness, he'll likely reclaim his spot at No. 3.
The signs for a World Cup return look good for Watson, who has just come back to action following a long lay-off.
In a recent interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, the 33-year-old was bullish about his future:
"It's been a great break and given me a lot of time to work on other fitness and strengths which I'm going to need and I've worked on a few things with my batting as well.
If I'm fit and playing well there's a lot of cricket over the next couple of years, so I've definitely made the most of this break spending time with family which is very valuable.
"
In a press conference reported by Cricket Australia, Michael Clarke confirmed that Watson will bat at No. 3 in the one-day side if fit.
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4. Michael Clarke
4 of 11
ODIs 237
Runs 7,751; average 45.06; strike rate 78.64
Wickets 56; average 38.07; economy rate 5.00
As long as he can steer clear of injury, Michael Clarke is a certainty for Australia's World Cup opener against England in Melbourne.
The 33-year-old has a superb one-day record, scoring eight hundreds and 56 fifties in 216 innings.
Daring and aggressive, Clarke is also one of the best captains in the game. Adding a World Cup to the Ashes would cap an amazing 14 months for the Australian captain.
5. Steve Smith
5 of 11
ODIs 41
Runs 667; average 25.65; strike rate 84.53
Wickets 26; average 32.00; economy rate 5.18
All-rounder Steve Smith is really starting to look the part in the ODI game. With scores of 101 and 77 in two of his last three ODI innings, the 25-year-old looks to have cemented a place in the Australian top-order.
His improving leg-spin could also prove valuable and give skipper Michael Clarke another option when conditions suit.
Smith is one of cricket's rising stars and is set for a big World Cup.
6. Mitchell Marsh
6 of 11
ODIs 9
Runs 261; average 37.28; strike rate 91.57
Wickets 4; average 39.00; economy rate 4.87
Following some impressive all-round performances in the Twenty20 game, Mitchell Marsh has barged his way into the international ODI reckoning.
The youngster was set to stake a claim in the Australian 50-over side against Pakistan in the UAE but was forced to pull out through injury. He'll likely get his chance against South Africa and India this summer.
A talented all-rounder who bowls at a decent pace and hits the ball hard, Marsh will bring balance to the Aussie line-up.
Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh has high hopes for both Marsh and Glenn Maxwell. He told Cricket Australia, “Those two blokes between them have as much natural talent as any two blokes in world cricket.”
7. Glenn Maxwell
7 of 11
ODIs 32
Runs 853; average 32.80; strike rate 121.16
Wickets 19; average 43.21; economy rate 5.41
In a side full of clean strikers, Glenn Maxwell is arguably the most clinical of the lot. The Victorian has shown glimpses of form in the recent ODI series against Pakistan. A quick-fire 76 helped the visitors to a five-wicket win in Dubai.
Maxwell's strike rate of 121.60 runs per 100 balls is the best in the history of ODI cricket. When in the mood he's one of the most dangerous (and entertaining) players in the world.
If the selectors decide against picking Nathan Lyon, the 26-year-old's off-spin will likely come into play.
8. Brad Haddin
8 of 11
ODIs 113
Runs 2,916; average 31.35; strike rate 81.77
Hewn from the same granite as Ian Healy, feisty Brad Haddin provides a toughness to the Australian side.
The 36-year-old has enjoyed a solid 2014, averaging 32.00 in the 50-over game. He remains a reliable finisher when the game is there to be won.
Accomplished with the gloves and dangerous with the bat, the World Cup will likely be the 36-year-old's one-day swansong.
9. James Faulkner
9 of 11ODIs 31
Runs 630; average 42.00; strike rate 106.96
Wickets 41; average 32.68; economy rate 5.69
As James Faulkner showed against England last year, he certainly has the temperament to thrive on the biggest stage. The Tasmanian's 69 from 47 balls steered the home side to a highly unlikely one-wicket win at the Gabba.
Perhaps surprisingly, the 24-year-old is Australia's leading ODI wicket-taker in 2014 with 16. If the selectors don't fancy picking three left-arm seamers, Faulkner seems the likeliest candidate to make way. He remains a solid performer in all facets of the game and won't let the Aussies down.
10. Mitchell Johnson
10 of 11
ODIs 142
Runs 901; average 16.38; strike rate 95.64
Wickets 218; average 25.68; economy rate 4.82
One man desperate to have another crack at the Poms in the World Cup opener is Mitchell Johnson. The 32-year-old is the Australia's top-rated bowler in the ICC ODI Rankings behind Saeed Ajmal, Sunil Narine, Dale Steyn and James Anderson.
If his radar is tuned in, Johnson is arguably the most deadly bowler in the modern-game. If it is awry, he could go for a lot of runs. Given his recent form, we suspect it will be the former rather than the latter.
Batsmen, watch out.
11. Mitchell Starc
11 of 11
ODIs 25
Runs 160; average 32.00; strike rate 88.88
Wickets 44; average 22.04; economy rate 5.06
Lanky left-armer Mitchell Starc may not induce the blind panic caused by the other Mitchell but remains a canny operator.
Starc's record in the 50-over game is impressive, with a strike rate and average better even than Johnson's. An economy rate of 5.06 suggests that the 24-year-old can be a little wayward. He'll still cause plenty of problems if conditions are in his favour.
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