Kangaroos for 2019 World Cup: Predicting the Australian team for 2019
2015 marked an year of change for Australian cricket. They returned to the summit of one day internationals and started of on a new phase of change with retirement of their skipper Michael Clarke as well as other key players including Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson and Ryan Harris.
Now under Steve Smith, the Aussies' have a exciting group of players to work with,but the trouble is they all have had fitness issues.So who all among the current crop would make the cut come 2019...here is my pick including 5 specialist bowlers and a keeper.
1.Steven Smith(captain)
How can a ship sail without its captain?Under current conditions there is no way Smith is not going to be in the squad to England bar a serious injury.
How can a ship sail without its captain?Under current conditions there is no way Smith is not going to be in the squad to England bar a serious injury.
2.David Warner
Yet another certainty...no questions asked.
Yet another certainty...no questions asked.
3.Mitchell Starc
Probably the best bowler in the world before his injury.Will make the trip bar a similar body breakdown
Probably the best bowler in the world before his injury.Will make the trip bar a similar body breakdown
4.Glenn Maxwell
There have been a lot of questions asked regarding his ability to produce consistently,so this would be a slightly arguable selection,but he would have some things in his favour as well including his explosive finishing and ability to contribute with the ball as well.His fielding would always be an asset.
There have been a lot of questions asked regarding his ability to produce consistently,so this would be a slightly arguable selection,but he would have some things in his favour as well including his explosive finishing and ability to contribute with the ball as well.His fielding would always be an asset.
5.James Pattinson
Another young seamer let down by his body once too often.A definite pick if his body holds up.Still remains a key component of the team despite the injuries.
Another young seamer let down by his body once too often.A definite pick if his body holds up.Still remains a key component of the team despite the injuries.
6.Josh Hazlewood
He has been luckier in terms of injuries compared to his compatriots but his bowling could still be suspected...2015 ashes in England proved dull in every possible way for him,but still is more likely to make the cut than not.
He has been luckier in terms of injuries compared to his compatriots but his bowling could still be suspected...2015 ashes in England proved dull in every possible way for him,but still is more likely to make the cut than not.
7.Patrick Cummins
The least lucky of the bowling contingent when it comes to injuries,Cummins is arguably the most talented among the current pool of aussie pacers.Unless injury prevents him he to would on the plane to England in 2019.
The least lucky of the bowling contingent when it comes to injuries,Cummins is arguably the most talented among the current pool of aussie pacers.Unless injury prevents him he to would on the plane to England in 2019.
8.Usman Khwaja
He has come back strongly into the national team fold and will be hoping to nail a spot for a long period now.He ,like most Aussie batsmen would have to prove themselves in testing condition in the future tours of India and England though.
He has come back strongly into the national team fold and will be hoping to nail a spot for a long period now.He ,like most Aussie batsmen would have to prove themselves in testing condition in the future tours of India and England though.
9.Joe Burns
He too made an exciting debut against India back in 2014.Will now be hoping to nail a spot following the retirement of senior players.
He too made an exciting debut against India back in 2014.Will now be hoping to nail a spot following the retirement of senior players.
10.Mitchell Marsh
A lot was expected of him since his debut back in 2013,but still has not necessarily lived up to the billing.But given the faith the selectors have put in him, he ought to come good sooner rather than later.
A lot was expected of him since his debut back in 2013,but still has not necessarily lived up to the billing.But given the faith the selectors have put in him, he ought to come good sooner rather than later.
11.Peter Neville(wk)
Peter Neville had big boots to fill when he was handed his debut over the retiring Brad Haddin last year and he has proven himself to be the best wicket keeper batsman in Australia since then.Apart from a rise of a new young keeper or a remarkable upturn by Matthew Wade ,he will make his debut at the worldcup at an age of 33.His experience in English conditons would come in handy.
Peter Neville had big boots to fill when he was handed his debut over the retiring Brad Haddin last year and he has proven himself to be the best wicket keeper batsman in Australia since then.Apart from a rise of a new young keeper or a remarkable upturn by Matthew Wade ,he will make his debut at the worldcup at an age of 33.His experience in English conditons would come in handy.
12.Adam Zampa
The leggie spun as many heads as balls in the recent IPL.If his recent performances are anything to go buy Australia have already got a spinner to challenge Nathan Lyon for the future.But still he would need to prove his worth at the international stage.
The leggie spun as many heads as balls in the recent IPL.If his recent performances are anything to go buy Australia have already got a spinner to challenge Nathan Lyon for the future.But still he would need to prove his worth at the international stage.
13.James Faulkner
More than just a solid bowler and lower order batsman,Faulkner can and has won matches both with the bat and the ball.His record speaks for itself more than anything.
More than just a solid bowler and lower order batsman,Faulkner can and has won matches both with the bat and the ball.His record speaks for itself more than anything.
14.Travis Head
The young batsman made his debut recently in T20s has done well for a 22 year old so far. His first Class average of 33 may not seem much but even George Bailey has only got runs at 38 in Australia,a testimon to the pace friendly ,competitive wickets over there .His youth may well be favoured over the experience of Bailey come 2019.
The young batsman made his debut recently in T20s has done well for a 22 year old so far. His first Class average of 33 may not seem much but even George Bailey has only got runs at 38 in Australia,a testimon to the pace friendly ,competitive wickets over there .His youth may well be favoured over the experience of Bailey come 2019.
15.Aaron Finch
Ever since his debut in 2012, Finch has been a mainstay in the Aussie eleven.His opening pairing with Warner has proved devastating and would be positive of continuing his run at least till 2019.
Ever since his debut in 2012, Finch has been a mainstay in the Aussie eleven.His opening pairing with Warner has proved devastating and would be positive of continuing his run at least till 2019.
Its far to early to predict an Australian team come 2019, but considering Aussie history of stitching together a good team and then sticking with it ,majority of the team could be coming from the current eleven considering the youthfull nature of the current squad.Even then the likes of Chris Lynn,Peter Handscomb would fancy their chances of making the team.The selectors can opt for Shaun Marsh as well,given his experience against a swinging ball.
This Australian team would make a formidable opponent for anyone and will fancy their chance of retaining their crown.
But there is still a lot of time to go for the upcoming youngsters to make a case for themselves.George Bailey would also be in with a shout should he decide to play on untill then,but given the trend in Aussie cricket he could well be forced into retirement like Simon Katich and few others in the past.Several others not in the picture now would be coming up as well,no one could have predicted the meteoric rise of Nathan Lyon from being a curator or the Ashes debut of Ashton Agar for that matter.One thing is for sure ,the 15 listed above are bound to be in with a shout come 2015.
-GT
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