5 Players to Watch in the Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series

On Friday, the Carlton Mid One-Day International Tri-Series will get underway in what is a seven-match tune-up for Australia, India and England ahead of the 2015 Cricket World Cup. 

Australia, of course, arrive at this short 50-over series full of confidence after their comfortable 2-0 Test-series triumph over India that concluded in Sydney last week. 

For India, the tri-series is an opportunity to shrug aside the disappointment and negativity of that defeat to ignite their World Cup charge. 

England, meanwhile, come into this three-team contest under new leadership, after sacking Alastair Cook and placing the nation's trust in Eoin Morgan. 

Consequently, this short one-day campaign carries contrasting importance for the three sides and the array of players who will shape it. 

Across the following slides, we examine five players to watch closely during the Carlton Mid One-Day International Tri-Series.

Eoin Morgan

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Though England's decision to axe Alastair Cook as the country's one-day captain was a belated one, it was undoubtedly the correct call. Under Cook, England were almost certain to limp toward failure at the World Cup. 

But it's not as though his replacement, Eoin Morgan, has ascended to the job with a compelling case on the back of irresistible form. In truth, it's a case of the 28-year-old being the only obvious option, rather than the best one. 

Indeed, in 2014, Morgan averaged just 25.45 with the bat in 50-over cricket (less than Cook's 27.52 in the same period), compiling only 560 runs in 23 matches. 

As such, the left-hander has much to prove in this tri-series, needing to show he can handle the demands of captaincy while also recapturing the form that made him the brightest player in England's middle order between 2009 and 2012 when he averaged 45.56 in a four-year span.

Clashes with Australia and India over the next three weeks will give a clear indication of Morgan's ability to lift England out of a limited-overs malaise. 

Glenn Maxwell

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Few players in the Australian side polarise quite like Glenn Maxwell, the flamboyant right-hander who awes and infuriates in equal measure. 

But recently, he's done a lot more of the latter. 

In the UAE, the Victorian had a disastrous time in the second Test against Pakistan and was widely slammed for his shot selection in difficult situations. Coming back home, the 26-year-old then struggled in the limited-overs campaign against South Africa and continued to find life difficult at the domestic level until a rapid 66 for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League last week. 

But Australia's selectors have continued to show faith in Maxwell, who's been included in the nation's World Cup squad and who will take part in the approaching tri-series with India and England. 

To secure his place in the XI, a strong run of performances will be needed. 

Rohit Sharma

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Having dreamily wandered his way through India's Test series against Australia, Rohit Sharma now returns to his preferred format and the one in which he's struck two emphatic double centuries. 

But although the elegant right-hander has enjoyed success against Australia previously, his record in Australia in one-day international cricket hardly inspires confidence.

Indeed, in 15 matches Down Under, Sharma has struck just 314 runs at an average of 26.16 (his average at home is 65.69) and a strike rate of only 74.40.

Though the smoothest of stroke-makers, the 27-year-old's laconic technique leaves him vulnerable in conditions offering more pace and bounce to the quicker bowlers—something that isn't helped by his questionable concentration and mettle.

This tri-series is Sharma's opportunity to shrug aside his Test woes, turn around his record in Australia and secure his place in the XI ahead of the World Cup.  

Gary Ballance

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When Gary Ballance was selected in England's World Cup squad, there was that feeling once again that the nation was settling for the conservative option when other, bolder choices were available. 

A player with only 12 matches of experience at the one-day international level, the left-hander has been chosen to fly to Australia to give England a steady accumulator to build an innings around. That he's a back-foot player with a sturdy technique will have also aided his cause. 

But does Ballance have the dynamism to help England compete with the world's best sides?

With an average of just 26.10 and a strike rate a tick above 70, his short career in 50-over cricket suggests that might be some way off. Also a concern is the fact that Ballance has played just one ODI since Sri Lanka's visit of England early last summer and was overlooked for much of the limited-overs campaign that followed against India and then the return tour of Sri Lanka. 

Though he's proved his worth in whites, he hasn't done so in coloured clothing. This tri-series is his chance to do so. 

Pat Cummins

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Though he's been hyped as the most exciting fast-bowling prospect in Australia for a number of years now, Pat Cummins, like many who practice his discipline, has endured a horrid run of injuries to his back and foot and has spent the bulk of his short career in the rehab room. 

He played one Test back in 2011 but hasn't played one since. He played the most recent of his six first-class matches in the same year. 

And in more than three years of intermittent cricket, he's played just seven one-day internationals for Australia since making his debut against South Africa. 

But Cummins, now back playing, believes he's ready to emerge from his injury-riddled past. According to Brydon Coverdale of ESPN Cricinfo, he recently said:

"

I'm probably a couple of kilos stronger and a couple of years older. I feel like I'm maturing into my body a little bit more. The action, trying to straighten up a little bit and be a little bit more efficient in how I move, running as well. The end result isn't too different but maybe I'm just standing up a little bit taller.

"

At his best, he's as fast and as incisive as they come. This tri-series and the World Cup is Cummins' chance to harness all of his talents and show what he can do now that he's injury free.