Australia has been in a dream run of late as they conquered India in the World Test Championship finals and since then have defeated England twice in the latter’s den in the ongoing edition of the Ashes, getting a headstart in the latest edition of the World Test Championship. However, with all said and done, later in the year, Australia will be participating in the quadrennial extravaganza called the ICC Cricket World Cup and considering their latest form in white-ball cricket, there have been instances where they have been rocked and rolled.
Being the juggernaut that they are, they will definitely like to work on their kinks that will need some ironing while plotting the right men for the job who are accustomed to the Indian conditions and can help the team to get the job done. Here are the probables for the 17-man squad that Australia may resort to for the cricket world cup 2023.
Openers: David Warner, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh
David Warner’s form of late may have been questionable in the shortest and the longest format of the sport. However, he is tailormade for ODI cricket. He loves to take his time, get his eyes in and then once he has played around 20-25 balls, he starts firing on all cylinders. If Warner starts going big, the bowlers will have their task cut out.
Cameron Green has been experimented in various positions and particularly with his success in the middle-order, Australia may try and get him in the mix at the number three or the number four position. However, considering the flat surfaces of the Indian track where the new ball doesn’t move around much, Green can be a lethal weapon up front.
Travis Head is one of the rising sensations of Australian cricket, particularly with the kind of hard-hitting flair and the fearless approach that he comes to the game with. He would be an absolute banger for Australia in the Indian conditions.
Mitchell Marsh has already proven to be a seasoned warrior in the Australian ranks and his towering displays in the recently concluded IPL makes him an absolute favourite to be in the probable squad for the upcoming cricketing fest.
Middle Order: Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Matthew Wade, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell
Steve Smith is an obvious choice considering a man of his stature and his crazy skillset. He is someone who loves to bat and if he gets going, well, the rest they say that can very well be history. His long-standing ability makes him a perfect fit for the Aussie cricket side.
Marnus Labuschagne is another batter who is identical to Steve Smith. He takes his time, gets himself in and then starts rolling the wheels. He is someone who has a pretty wide arsenal and will be a fine example of a batter who can steer the middle-order around.
Alex Carey’s latest form has been stunning and he would continue to be Australia’s first-choice wicket-keeper. He is also a fine batter where he showed his batting flair to the world in the recently concluded Test matches on the back of the ODIs against India. Given his glovesmanship, he also makes a pretty fine addition to the side.
One may argue that Josh Inglis should be the first pick as a backup for Carey but then Matthew Wade’s experience makes him a priceless addition to the Australian side. More importantly, he is a big match player and can finish games at will.
Marcus Stoinis is one of those all-rounders whom you wuld always like to have in your team given his finishing ability with the bat and his bowling prowess. Very rarely would you find a fast bowler who can clock 135 kays at ease and also bat with equal brilliance, peppering the ball to the ropes with consummate ease.
Glenn Maxwell is in the dream form of his life since his return from injury, playing out his heart for Royal Challengers Bangalore first and then in the Vitality Blast for the Warwickshire Bears. He is a mandate for the Australian cricket team for the upcoming World Cup without a second thought.
Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Ashton Agar, Michael Neser
Pat Cummins has been the best that Australia had to offer in terms of fast bowling. He has been the lead act of the Australian fast bowling mafia and he would continue to be a solid hope for the mighty Aussies on the flat tracks of the sub-continent, given his pace, height and his regimented discipline.
If someone houses the calibre to swing the ball even in the deadbeat conditions of the Indian pitches, it has to be Mitchell Starc. Starc was Australia’s best bet back in the ODI series against India and he would be looking forward to replicate the numbers in the World Cup.
Josh Hazlewood is a fast bowling staple for Australia and will be the third element in the Australian triptych of fast bowling terror. He is a death over specialist and his ice-cool nerves make him one of the resonating picks for the upcoming cricketing fest.
Nathan Ellis has been dubbed as the wild thing and can be a game-changer with his volley of those cannoning inswingers. He loves to move the ball around and all of it happens at a good odd 140 plus kays, making life a living hell for the batters.
Ashton Agar is one of those all-rounders whom you would call more of a bowler. However, on spin-friendly pitches, he is someone who would be rooting for those additional revs on the ball that can trouble the batters frequently, particularly with the ones coming in.
Adam Zampa is one of the best leg-spinners in the shorter format of the game and is one of those wicket-taking bowlers that everyone wants in their side. He can prove to be a game-changer considering his wicket-taking capability, albeit being on the expensive side.
Michael Neser will most likely be reduced to a standby but then he has proven to be a crucial bowling all-rounder to his respective teams. Come World Cup, if he gets a chance, his discipline that has already bagged quite a few eyes may get him in the game.
