Australia have named their XI for the primary of 5 matches in South Africa with Marsh to captain in an ODI for the primary time whereas Pat Cummins continues to be unavailable resulting from his wrist harm. Marsh made a triumphant debut as Australia’s interim T20I captain with a
3-0 collection sweep of South Africa final week.
One of many debates surrounding Australia’s ODI facet heading in direction of the World Cup was whether or not or not Warner and Head would stay collectively on the prime of the order after
Marsh’s phenomenal collection in opposition to India earlier this yr when he opened in all three video games. Marsh solely opened as a result of Warner was recovering from a fractured elbow and missed the primary two matches. When Warner returned for sport three he was pressured to bat at No.4 for the primary time in his ODI profession, and never open for simply the second time, as Australia caught with the mixture of Head and Marsh who had dominated the collection to that time.
However Australia have returned to their trusted pairing of Head and Warner. The pair have solely opened collectively in seven ODIs, three coming after the retirement of long-time captain Aaron Finch late final yr, however have compiled three partnerships of 284, 147, and 269 throughout these seven video games. In addition they have one other century fifth-wicket stand and
common 85.07 as a pair within the format general.
Marsh will as an alternative bat at No.3 the place has been dominant in T20Is during the last couple of years however he might slide additional when Smith returns for the India collection and the World Cup that follows the tour of South Africa, though Australia is hoping to be fluid with their prime order relying on their wants with Marsh’s energy within the 10-over powerplay eager to be utilised at occasions if the surfaces require it.
“There will be doubtlessly a couple of transferring elements with our squad all through these 5 video games, I am guessing it will be the identical as South Africa,” Marsh stated on Wednesday. “It is a heavy schedule, constructing to the World Cup. So we’ll have sure guys batting in several areas, however I will begin at three.”
Inexperienced has been named to bat at No.4 for the primary time in his ODI profession in an indication forward of the World Cup that he may transfer greater up the order having batted at Nos.6-8 in 11 of his 12 ODI innings thus far. Quantity 4 is by far his greatest place in Checklist A cricket having made two centuries in seven innings there together with one for Australia A in opposition to Sri Lanka A
in Colombo final yr.
Australia will play seven bats and 4 bowlers, together with two spinners in Bloemfontein. It’s one in all three mixtures they’re possible to make use of within the World Cup and more likely to be the one they want on spinning pitches like Chennai the place they may play their opening match in opposition to India on October 8. It’s the construction they used with success
in opposition to India in Chennai again in March to shut out their final ODI collection.
Agar is getting back from a calf harm however will go away the touring squad on the again finish of the South Africa collection to return house for the start of his first little one, therefore the selectors’ keenness to play the 2 spinners together in sport one in Bloemfontein in preparation for the World Cup.
Sean Abbott and Josh Hazlewood will play because the lone specialist quicks within the absence of Cummins and Mitchell Starc. Abbott edged out Nathan Ellis for the ultimate spot within the
provisional 15-man World Cup squad on the again of some excellent current kind.
Australia’s different group mixtures possible embody enjoying seven batters, three quicks and one spinner, or enjoying eight batters and simply three specialist bowlers, with 4 allrounders batting within the prime eight supplied Marsh, Inexperienced, Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are all match to bowl to make up not less than 20 overs of bowling.
Australia XI for first ODI vs South Africa: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (capt), Cameron Inexperienced, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
