Warner and Head to open, Marsh to bat No.3 in opposition to SA
Australia have named their XI for the primary of 5 matches in South Africa with Marsh to captain in an ODI for the primary time whereas Pat Cummins continues to be unavailable on account of his wrist damage. Marsh made a triumphant debut as Australia’s interim T20I captain with a 3-0 series sweep of South Africa final week.
One of the debates surrounding Australia’s ODI aspect heading in the direction of the World Cup was whether or not or not Warner and Head would stay collectively on the high of the order after Marsh’s phenomenal series against India earlier this yr when he opened in all three video games. Marsh solely opened as a result of Warner was recovering from a fractured elbow and missed the primary two matches. When Warner returned for sport three he was pressured to bat at No.4 for the primary time in his ODI profession, and never open for simply the second time, as Australia caught with the mix of Head and Marsh who had dominated the sequence to that time.
But Australia have returned to their trusted pairing of Head and Warner. The pair have solely opened collectively in seven ODIs, three coming after the retirement of long-time captain Aaron Finch late final yr, however have compiled three partnerships of 284, 147, and 269 throughout these seven video games. They even have one other century fifth-wicket stand and average 85.07 as a pair within the format general.
Marsh will as an alternative bat at No.3 the place has been dominant in T20Is during the last couple of years however he might slide additional when Smith returns for the India sequence and the World Cup that follows the tour of South Africa, though Australia is hoping to be fluid with their high order relying on their wants with Marsh’s energy within the 10-over powerplay eager to be utilised at instances if the surfaces require it.
“There’ll be potentially a few moving parts with our squad throughout these five games, I’m guessing it’ll be the same as South Africa,” Marsh mentioned on Wednesday. “It’s a heavy schedule, building to the World Cup. So we’ll have certain guys batting in different areas, but I’ll start at three.”
Green has been named to bat at No.4 for the primary time in his ODI profession in an indication forward of the World Cup that he may transfer increased up the order having batted at Nos.6-8 in 11 of his 12 ODI innings so far. Number 4 is by far his finest place in List A cricket having made two centuries in seven innings there together with one for Australia A in opposition to Sri Lanka A in Colombo last year.
Australia will play seven bats and 4 bowlers, together with two spinners in Bloemfontein. It is one in all three combos they’re possible to make use of within the World Cup and more likely to be the one they want on spinning pitches like Chennai the place they are going to play their opening match in opposition to India on October 8. It is the construction they used with success against India in Chennai back in March to shut out their final ODI sequence. Agar is returning from a calf injury however will depart the touring squad on the again finish of the South Africa sequence to return house for the beginning of his first youngster, therefore the selectors’ keenness to play the 2 spinners together in sport one in Bloemfontein in preparation for the World Cup.
Sean Abbott and Josh Hazlewood will play because the lone specialist quicks within the absence of Cummins and Mitchell Starc (groin). Abbott edged out Nathan Ellis for the ultimate spot within the provisional 15-man World Cup squad on the again of some excellent current kind.
Australia’s different workforce combos possible embody enjoying seven batters, three quicks and one spinner, or enjoying eight batters and simply three specialist bowlers, with 4 allrounders batting within the high eight offered Marsh, Green, Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are all match to bowl to make up no less than 20 overs of bowling.
Australia XI for first ODI vs South Africa: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (capt), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood