Monday, January 4, 2016

New Look Australian ODI Squad. And No Shane Watson!


Steve Smith (c), Dave Warner (vc), Aaron Finch, George Bailey, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Glen Maxwell, James Faulkner, Matthew Wade (WK), Josh Hazelwood, Kane Richardson, Scott Boland (debut), Joel Paris (debut).

How do we dissect the 13 man squad chosen for the five ODI's to be played against India in January?
  • In a team that looks as though it is beginning to regenerate with the next World Cup in focus, George Bailey retains his place while Shane Watson has been discarded. This would appear to signify that Bailey is still in the frame for the T20 World Cup in March and this is being used as a warm up for him with that in mind. Whether his tenure will last into the next Australian season is yet to be seen, but if he keeps performing then there would seem to be little to be achieved in moving him aside. Watson however would appear superfluous now, and his International career may finally be at an end. Yes... not before time.
  • The resurrection of Kane Richardson, and the debut selections of Scott Boland and Joel Paris, has certainly been forced upon the selectors with retirements and injuries. No doubt all three will get an opportunity in the five match series, and each will look at it as the first stepping stone for them towards an international career. Each has had impressive moments at domestic level recently. Richardson appears to be an enforcer, something Australia will be looking for in the absence of Mitch Starc and the retirements of Mitch Johnson and Ryan Harris, while Paris looks an exciting left arm prospect, and Boland an end-stopper. Josh Hazelwood's insistence on playing every game possible is to be applauded, and while he will not play all five ODI's he will continue as the number one Australian paceman.
  • Mitch Marsh, Glen Maxwell and James Faulkner continue in their all round roles (the success or otherwise still to be determined), while Matthew Wade continues in his anointed role of ODI keeper, something that should be monitored closely in this series given Peter Nevill's flawless glove display this summer.
Given India was just here 12 months ago this seems like a money-grabber rather than a concerted series of one day internationals. It will be interesting to see what crowds these games can pull while the Big Bash continues around these fixtures.


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