As the WTC final knocks on the door, it is high time already that the speculations are blowing through the roof about what should be Australia’s playing XI against the arrival of the mighty Indians in England. The hard yards are being put in already and believe this or not the expectations of almost all the players being discussed with utmost dedication and most importantly the tactics surrounding them are absolutely in plenty.
Before Australia starts heading for the final lap against the might of India, here is how they may line up against the rollicking Indians for the WTC finale at Oval that is slated to be played from June 7th to 11th with 12th being the reserve day, the black letter day that proved to be the downslide for the Indian cricket team in the last edition’s finale.
Openers: David Warner and Usman Khwaja
The Southpaw may not have been in the best of shapes but once his bat starts talking it is almost next to impossible to get him in reins. Warner is one of the most adept players of pace and would be a key for Australia when the Indian bowling mafia comes knocking.
Usman Khwaja is in dream form and showed it to the Indian bowlers back in India that he can be a tough nut to crack. With all said and done about Warner’s woeful form, he is exactly in the opposite headspace now and will be leading the charge from the very front.
Middle order: Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Travis Head
Steve Smith is the most obvious pick in the Australian side for the upcoming WTC final, given his stature technique and most importantly being a part of the fabulous four that has been ruling the world for some time now.
Marnus Labuschagne is obviously the second best batter of the side and will be leading the charge for the mighty Australians with the bat in his hand from the number four position. His technical brilliance is more than enough to keep Indians on their toes.
Cameron Green was in dream form in the IPL and his recent form would obviously be inspiring the Australians to keep him as a part of the squad. He can strike the ball by a fair mile and garner runs at a canter without breaking a sweat.
Alex Carey is obviously one of the finest picks as the team’s wicket-keeper in Test cricket and he is also a fine batter that would see the opposition toiling hard if they tend be to slightly less careful. He is an excellent gloveman and is one of the most reliable picks for Australia.
Travis Head can be a tricky pick. With Hazlewood injured and still to be confirmed of his fitness, Head would most likely be carrying forth the batting duties while Cameron Green is being handed over the cherry to do fill in the spot of an extra pacer.
Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon
Mitchell Starc is probably tailor-made for Australian and English conditions and he can very well be the wrecker in chief for Cummins and company. He moves the ball both ways and more importantly that towering brutal pace from the left-arm ace makes him an absolutely devastating pick for any side.
Pat Cummins is the captain of the side and will be obviously be one of the biggest names to rely on. If India chooses to take him lightly even for a ball, it would boil down to hara-kiri for the Men in Blue dressed in the white threads.
Scott Boland is the new wild thing in the ranks of Australian cricket and India will see a new incarnation of this man who was effectively blunted in the Indian conditions.
Nathan Lyon is the most experienced turner of the side and would be leading the lines for Australia in the spinning department. Even though the conditions would be massively favouring pace, it is needless to say that the Australian turner makes good use of himself in all conditions.
