Australian ODI team
Australia has lost its fourth ODI in a row for the first time since 1997, going down to New Zealand in Auckland today, failing to defend a record score at Eden Park.
Sure, it’s not Australia’s best line-up, but there are some disturbing signs ahead of the World Cup. In my view:
- Matthew Hayden is not suited as a one-day opener. His record speaks for itself. This is the prime position for posting big scores and he just hasn’t achieved.
- Glenn McGrath is too old for fielding in one-day cricket. He let a four go through today that a younger bloke would have stopped easily.
- Shaun Tait lacks control. He’s potentially a good test bowler and will become a good one-day bowler, but he’s not there yet.
Australia might win the World Cup if Gilchrist and Ponting fire. Also on the plus side, Brad Hogg is bowling well and should go okay in the West Indies.
There are enough doubts though to suggest that South Africa, India, Sri Lanka or New Zealand could challenge for the title.
I don’t know who should open with Gilchrist, maybe Hopes, Ronchi or Jacques. A couple of them should have been tried before now.
The rest of my selected team would be Ponting, Hussey, Hodge, Clarke, Symonds (or White), Watson, Hogg, Lee, Bracken (or Johnson). If balance required an extra bowler for a particular pitch I’d play Hilfenhaus instead of Clarke or Hodge.
These articles might be of interest:
I’d like to take some credit for Matthew Hayden scoring 181 not out in the third final but I’m sure he had greater inspiration than proving me wrong.
I didn’t see today’s game but the bowling figures for Watson and Johnson are shockers. NZ won the series 3-0.