World Cup 2019

[Yertle the Turtle]

Any tips for this? I'd say at the moment Semis will be Aus/Eng/Ind/SA, but I'm not really sure about them. I reckon Aus does have a chance (unlike most people I've talked to) particularly with Smith returning. Add to this the fact that in past ODIs Aus haven't been fielding their proper bowling lineup, always resting Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood. Who should Aus pick as captain? My pick is Maxwell. Who should be in the lineup? I would pick the following:
Warner, Head, Smith, S Marsh, Maxwell(c), Finch, Wade(+), Starc, Cummins, Zampa, Richardson
I know that dropping Hazlewood and playing Finch in the middle might be a bit controversial, but this is what I think would make the best team. Some firepower up the top, stability at 3 and 4, 3 part time spin options to supplement the bowlers, firepower in the middle (though I might swap Finch for Short).

[turinturambar]

Any tips for this? I'd say at the moment Semis will be Aus/Eng/Ind/SA, but I'm not really sure about them. I reckon Aus does have a chance (unlike most people I've talked to) particularly with Smith returning.

Let me guess, I'm one of those people you've talked to?
Australia have crashed out of the last two Champion's Trophies in England, and lost badly their last bi-lateral series there.  Missing some bowlers and Smith/Warner is part of this, but it's surely not all of it.  I'd be glad if they made the semis, but think the higher ranked NZ and Pakistan have at least as good a chance.

Looking forward to the final I think Eng vs India most likely, and generally that it's England's cup to lose (they're the number 1 team post-2015 for a reason, though Kohli and R Sharma are scarily good).

I'm not going to bother trying to pick a team, but just looking at yours I would be inclined to keep Carey over Wade as keeper (in spite of Wade's batting...), and to keep Finch on as captain (though I hope his form picks up...)

[Sine]

Any tips for this? I'd say at the moment Semis will be Aus/Eng/Ind/SA, but I'm not really sure about them. I reckon Aus does have a chance (unlike most people I've talked to) particularly with Smith returning. Add to this the fact that in past ODIs Aus haven't been fielding their proper bowling lineup, always resting Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood. Who should Aus pick as captain? My pick is Maxwell. Who should be in the lineup? I would pick the following:
Warner, Head, Smith, S Marsh, Maxwell(c), Finch, Wade(+), Starc, Cummins, Zampa, Richardson
I know that dropping Hazlewood and playing Finch in the middle might be a bit controversial, but this is what I think would make the best team. Some firepower up the top, stability at 3 and 4, 3 part time spin options to supplement the bowlers, firepower in the middle (though I might swap Finch for Short).

I think AUS have a chance but not because of Smith, he is an good ODI player but not elite and does quite badly in difficult conditions (33 average in England/Wales, 11 average in New Zealand and overall average 32 away from home). Probably keep Finch as captian, Maxwell doesn't really have the attitude to be an international captain since the role is more that just what you do on the field.

[Sine]

Australia's WC squad was announced today.
Squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

 A couple of surprisings exclusions imo (Hazlewood and Handscomb).

Any thoughts on the squad and potentially the playing XI/batting order?

[Joseph41]

I reckon Handscomb is stiff but not sure who he'd replace, really.

[Sine]

I reckon Handscomb is stiff but not sure who he'd replace, really.

I thought AUS might need a 2nd choice wicket-keeper - as far as I can see there isn't another keeper or at least a part-time keeper.

Carey is a probably better wicket-keeper but Handscomb a much better batsmen. Although, conditions may have played a big role in the choice too - in an Asian world cup Handscomb would've definitely been selected.

Also I would've had Hazlewood over both NCN and Behrendorff.

[Quantum44]

Australia's WC squad was announced today.
Squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

 A couple of surprisings exclusions imo (Hazlewood and Handscomb).

Any thoughts on the squad and potentially the playing XI/batting order?

The squad looks pretty solid. I can understand why Hazlewood is not included as he hasn’t played much ODI cricket recently and Is still injured, so they are probably saving him for the Ashes. Handscomb definitely did not deserve to miss out though, and I’d almost rather have him over Marsh or even Stoinis given his recent form. Could’ve probably done without one of NCN/Behrendorff as we have enough bowlers.

Top XI for me:
1. Finch (c) - Both him and Khawaja have very good form at the top of the order so it makes sense for them to be the openers
2. Khawaja
3. Warner
4. Smith
5. Stoinis - Would replace with Marsh if he doesn’t perform as we need may need the batting depth over the extra seam option
6. Maxwell
7. Carey (wk) - Hopefully he can provide good value as a lower-order hitter given Handscomb could’ve been our keeper
8, Cummins
9. Starc
10. Richardson - Provided he isn’t still injured and we don’t want an extra spin option
11. Zampa

[howey]

Handscomb stiff, I probably would have picked him over Marsh but can see why they went with Marsh.
I would've had Hazelwood over NCN, but wouldn't have had either of them in the XI so not too fussed.

[Joseph41]

Handscomb stiff, I probably would have picked him over Marsh but can see why they went with Marsh.
I would've had Hazelwood over NCN, but wouldn't have had either of them in the XI so not too fussed.

I reckon Marsh is underrated in ODIs. Agree on Hazlewood.

[Sine]

Yeah most people are quite harsh on S.Marsh. has a solid career ODI average (and a extremely good recent average over past two years)

During the past two series it was also a bit unfair on Handscomb. Whenever Australia got a good start from the top three on good batting pitches they often sent in Maxwell/Stoinis but when they were two down for not much or just average starts Handscomb had to go in. Obviously strategic but didn't give him much of an opportunity to boost those stats.

[howey]

I agree, although Handscomb's stats were still pretty good in that time. Average of ~50, Strike Rate of ~100 - can't do much more than that.

[Quantum44]

Yeah most people are quite harsh on S.Marsh. has a solid career ODI average (and a extremely good recent average over past two years)

During the past two series it was also a bit unfair on Handscomb. Whenever Australia got a good start from the top three on good batting pitches they often sent in Maxwell/Stoinis but when they were two down for not much or just average starts Handscomb had to go in. Obviously strategic but didn't give him much of an opportunity to boost those stats.

Smarsh is a good ODI player and has a solid track record in English conditions, however we have quite a few players who are slow at starting their innings, so having a player like Handscomb who can get going quickly could be advantageous in maintaining the run rate during the middle overs.

[Sine]

I agree, although Handscomb's stats were still pretty good in that time. Average of ~50, Strike Rate of ~100 - can't do much more than that.

hmm sure about those stats? I have the average at 41 and strike rate high 90s still great for a middle order batsmen though.

Smarsh is a good ODI player and has a solid track record in English conditions, however we have quite a few players who are slow at starting their innings, so having a player like Handscomb who can get going quickly could be advantageous in maintaining the run rate during the middle overs.

Yeah definitely, not expecting him to be part of playing team - he is ideally suited to playing in the top 3 positions but we already have 3 in form players there right now.

[Yertle the Turtle]

Definitely surprised by the Handscomb exclusion, I thought he would not only make the squad, but maybe should have made the XI over Smith, but there you are. I'm sort of left feeling that Australia have left themselves open to trouble by lacking a backup keeper, as well as a player who can either accumulate or attack, which Handscomb can fill also. I can see the reasoning behind the Hazlewood exclusion, but would have personally picked Behrendorff over NCN, based partially on injury issues. I expect the opening XI to be as follows:
Warner, Finch (c), Khawaja, Smith, Maxwell, Stoinis, Carey (+), Cummins, Zampa, Starc, Richardson/NCN (depending on Richardson's shoulder)

Any thoughts on Burns not getting a contract, by the way? I thought he was a likely opener for the Ashes, but maybe they've penned Warner in already. Also, any thoughts on Maxi's bowling of late...

[Joseph41]

Definitely surprised by the Handscomb exclusion, I thought he would not only make the squad, but maybe should have made the XI over Smith, but there you are. I'm sort of left feeling that Australia have left themselves open to trouble by lacking a backup keeper, as well as a player who can either accumulate or attack, which Handscomb can fill also. I can see the reasoning behind the Hazlewood exclusion, but would have personally picked Behrendorff over NCN, based partially on injury issues. I expect the opening XI to be as follows:
Warner, Finch (c), Khawaja, Smith, Maxwell, Stoinis, Carey (+), Cummins, Zampa, Starc, Richardson/NCN (depending on Richardson's shoulder)

Any thoughts on Burns not getting a contract, by the way? I thought he was a likely opener for the Ashes, but maybe they've penned Warner in already. Also, any thoughts on Maxi's bowling of late...

From memory you were a pretty big Smith fan. Why would you imagine Handscomb would play ahead of him? Lack of match fitness? If so, why not the case for Warner?