Australia take on England with a new-look, inexperienced, one-day side. Here’s a rundown of those trying to take Australia forward in the absence of their biggest names
Andrew McGlashan12-Jun-20185:47
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Aaron Finch: 88 ODIs, 3200 runs at 38.55, 10 hundredsNow one of the senior figures in the batting line-up. Has had a stellar 12 months in one-day cricket with 612 runs in eight innings since the start of the Champions Trophy last year. Particularly enjoys facing England: he averages 55 against them including five of his ten centuries – two came in back-to-back innings in the series earlier this year. Plus, there was this massive effort in a T20 at the Ageas Bowl in 2013.D’Arcy Short: uncapped in ODIsEnjoyed a breakout 2017-18 season in the white-ball formats, firstly with Western Australia in the JLT Cup and then, most spectacularly, in the Big Bash with Hobart Hurricanes where he was the tournament’s leading scorer. That earned him an IPL deal and an Australia call-up – the latter was more successful as he impressed in the T20 tri-series before struggling in India. The challenge now is to show he can adapt to the longer limited-overs format. Also bowls handy left-arm wrist spin.Shaun Marsh: 53 ODIs, 1896 runs at 37.92, three hundredsGlenn Maxwell was lbw to Ravi Patel for 3•Getty Images
Across the various formats, it’s easy to lose track of the number of recalls Marsh has had. The absence of two senior names – Warner and Smith – has opened the door for another. He made his ODI debut a decade ago but has rarely cemented a spot. Will be jostling for one of the top-order positions. Fellow Western Australian and new coach Justin Langer is a big fan.Marcus Stoinis: 13 ODIs, 566 runs at 62.88, one hundredAt 28, the time is right for Stoinis to make the most of his batting talent and it appears he will get a chance high up the order. Was promoted to No. 3 against England in January and hit 87 in Perth. Made his debut on the 2015 tour of England but really announced himself in ODIs with a thunderous unbeaten 146 against New Zealand in Auckland. His bowling provides a useful addition.Glenn Maxwell: 81 ODIs, 2069 runs at 32.32 (S/R 123.08), one hundredWhat to make of the Big Show? By rights he should be providing the X-factor to Australia’s middle order – especially now – in a way that Jos Buttler does for England. Yet this feels like make-or-break for him. Perhaps a change in leadership will help after Steven Smith’s comments earlier this year that he should “train smarter.” Had a lean IPL and failed twice in the warm-ups in England, but he did come off in style in the T20 triangular at Hobart in Febuary.Travis Head: 34 ODIs, 1064 runs at 36.68, one hundredHas been used in a variety of positions for Australia, but opening looks his most natural fit. It’s where his one century has come from. Started this tour in the middle order but then returned to the top and made a hundred against Middlesex. Also hit 96 against England in Adelaide opening the innings. His challenge is to show he can change gears. His offspin can be handy for a few overs.Tim Paine: 30 ODIs, 854 runs at 31.62, one hundredWhat a few months it has been for Paine. Now the Test and ODI captain following all the recent fallouts, he has the challenge of rejuvenating the one-day side in the 12 months before the World Cup. A terrific gloveman (a factor not to be undervalued), his one ODI hundred came way back in 2009 against England at Trent Bridge. Will be interesting to see if he has the power to make an impact lower down the order.Alex Carey: one ODIIn a way, perhaps the more natural fit as the wicketkeeper-batsman for Australia’s future. Like Short, he had an outstanding BBL – he was the second-highest scorer – and showed some spark on his ODI debut in Brisbane when he replaced the ill Paine. Having not played either warm-up match, will likely need injury or major loss of form to get a game on this tour.Ashton Agar: four ODIs, four wickets at 45.50, econ 6.06Stunned the cricket world in 2013 with his 98 on Test debut batting at No. 11. Things haven’t taken off since then but he now has the chance to establish a place in the ODI side. Starts this tour as the main spinner, partly because of the all-round package he brings with his batting.Billy Stanlake struck with each of his first two balls•Getty Images
Kane Richardson: 15 ODIs, 21 wickets at 33.23, econ 5.37The most experienced of the pace bowlers in the squad, Richardson’s 15 ODIs have been spread over five years. He probably needs a good tour to keep himself in with a chance of a World Cup squad when the big three are available. Known for having a good yorker.Jhye Richardson: one ODI, two wicketsThere is considerable excitement around the potential of 21-year-old Jhye Richardson (no relation to Kane) who is a skiddy fast bowler. Made his ODI debut against England in Brisbane – claiming Alex Hales and Jonny Bairstow in consecutive overs – and was then the bolter in the Test squad to tour South Africa. Also provides some batting ability which will be attractive to Langer who is keen on plenty of bowling options without making the tail too long.Andrew Tye: four ODIs, eight wickets at 21.21, econ 4.63Made a name for himself in T20, enjoying considerable success with his variety of slower deliveries including a mighty effective knuckle ball. Made an encouraging start in ODIs, claiming a five-wicket haul against England in PerthBilly Stanlake: two ODIs, one wicketThe tallest fast bowler to play for Australia. And he is quick. Hype is following Stanlake around at the moment after he hurried and harried batsmen in the Big Bash and then on occasions in the T20 tri-series. Ricky Ponting, perhaps with a touch of hyperbole, believes he can be a great bowler. Was due to have a stint at Yorkshire but Cricket Australia pulled him out so he can be carefully managed given a injury history that includes three back stress fractures.Michael Neser: uncappedA late call-up to the squad after the injury to Josh Hazlewood, South African-born Neser has only previously been on the fringes of the national side with an A-team call-up in 2014. Played both warm-up matches and Langer name-checked his performances and the balance he could bring to the side.Nathan Lyon: 13 ODIs, 17 wickets at 34.82, econ 4.93A magnificent Test bowler, arguably the finest offspinner in the format, but has never established a place in the one-day side and it appears unlikely to happen on this tour having been left out of both warm-up matches. Doesn’t offer much with the bat, but is an excellent fielder both off his own bowling and in the outfield – as his key run-out of James Vince on the opening day of the Ashes showed.
