MillenniumPost
Game On

Home town heroes

The Australia squad has been announced for this year’s ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, and there is going to be some disappointment for the guys who missed out. But the ones, who got selected, have earned the right to be there.

Like all the ICC Cricket World Cups, there are always a few really tough matches in the pool stage, and for Australia, I think England, New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be the big ones. The three matches that Australia is ‘supposed’ to win comfortably are Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland.

The players can hopefully gain some form against these teams and take momentum into big matches. In this World Cup, I believe the harder pitches and the two new white cricket balls will be the key. Therefore, the battle between fast bowlers and top-order batsmen will be important, and will go a long way in terms of the results.

I think Australia can win the 2015 World Cup, but it needs runs up front. Playing in Australia will bring some added pressure and it will be interesting to see how the side handles this. I think Australia has selected a well-rounded squad.

One of the most successful all-rounders at the ICC World Cup 2003 in South Africa, Andy Bichel scored 117 runs in 3 innings and took 16 wickets in 8 matches, including a career-best 7 for 20 against England in Port Elizabeth. In the same match, he scored 35 not out and put on 73 runs for the unfinished 9th wicket stand with Michael Bevan (74*) to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The 44-year-old all-rounder from Queenslander played 67 ODIs, scoring 471 runs and taking 78 wickets.

Michael Clarke

I hope he can get fully fit in time for the ICC Cricket World Cup, and that his injury doesn’t become a distraction to the team. It will be interesting to see where he might bat in the order. I would bat him at no. 3, and though I’m not sure if his body will be able to take the workload, because it is a World Cup, he might just get through.
Nicknamed ‘Pup’, Clarke is a right-handed batsman and left-arm orthodox spin bowler ODIs 238 Runs 7762 Ave 44.86

David Warner

An amazing striker of the ball, he really puts the opposition under the pump. If he can play some of those match-winning innings and take some momentum into the back end of the tournament, he could single-handedly win the trophy. The question for me will be can they handle the pressure of playing at home.
28-tear-old David Warner is a quick-scoring left-handed opening batsman
ODIs 50 Runs 1539 Ave 31.40

Aaron Finch

To have Warner and Finch at the top of the order reminds me of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist. This has been the backbone of Australia’s recent success as one of them has always come good to get Australia to some really big totals. Finch currently holds the record for the highest innings in a T20 int’l, 156 against England in  August 2013.
Aaron Finch is a right-handed middle order batsman who’s now used as opener
ODIs 36 Runs 1304 Ave 37.25


Steve Smith

What an amazing period for Steve in recent times, quite remarkable really. We have talked about responsibilities, and he has handled them with flying colours. I would give him the responsibility to bat at no. 4. He did so well there in the recent series against India, becoming the highest Aussie run scorer in a four-Test series (770) .
Starting as an all-rounder, Steve Smith is now used primarily as a batsman
ODIs 45 Runs 921 Ave 31.75

George Bailey

Being captain during the tri-series will be an important momentum boost for the squad in the lead up to the World Cup. His leadership has been excellent, and his batting has been equally impressive. I would also like to point out his unselfishness at the end of innings, and the way he puts the team first – that doesn’t go unnoticed by me.
A hard-hitting right-handed batsman, Bailey is vice-captain of the ODI team
ODIs 52 Runs 1945 Ave 44.20

Glenn Maxwell

Over the last 12 months, he has played some excellent innings, but has frustrated the coaching staff by being a bit inconsistent. He can play all the shots in the middle overs, but he needs to make sure he takes the right option. His bowling has been improving with every game, as well as his fielding.
Maxwell set the record for the fastest ever half-century in Australian (50 off 19 balls) ODIs 36 Runs 891 Ave 29.70

Mitchell Marsh

An exciting talent. Mitchell Marsh’s batting is the key for me, he has a real presence at the crease and he fits absolutely perfectly in the Aussie middle order. His bowling has come on over the last 12 months, he has improved a lot and also has the ability to get more movement or swing.
Mitchell Marsh is the son of ex-player Geoff Marsh and brother of Shaun Marsh
ODIs 12 Runs 360 Wkts 5

Brad Haddin

One last big effort for Hadds to win a ICC ODI World Cup would be outstanding personal result for him. His experience and valuable knowledge and input will be a huge benefit to the entire group to be able to go on and win the World Cup. His power hitting at the end of the innings is also very valuable.
Right-handed batsman and wicketkeeper Haddin also plays for New South Wales Blues
ODIs 114 Runs 2932 Ct 151 ST 11

Mitchell Johnson

He hasn’t had the same impact with the white cricket ball as the red ball. He’s a key member of the bowling unit, he’s ready to lead the attack, and, with his experience, he’s a go-to man for the captain. Few can match his successful left-arm bowling method that mixes bouts of waywardness with spot-on strike-power.
Mitchell Johnson is a left-arm fast bowler and hard-hitting lower order left-handed batsman
ODIs 144 Wkts 221 Eco 4.82

Mitchell Starc

What a talented bowler he is, and Starc still very young, which we keep forgetting. This left-arm bowler has all the required skills to blow a game apart, with the ability to swing the white new cricket ball both off the pitch and in the air. He’s an excellent fielder and can throw the bat very effectively at the end of an innings.
Starc currently plays first-class cricket for New South Wales Blues and Yorkshire CCC ODIs 29 Wkts 53 Eco 5.00

Josh Hazelwood

A banker is what you need, and he’s also someone that you can rely on. Of course, he would probably like a few more games before the World Cup, but he is ready, and he’s gained some valuable experience and confidence from the Test series against India.
Josh started young, making his state debut at 17 against the touring NZl side in 2008
ODIs 6 Wkts 10 Eco 4.89

Pat Cummins

He’s starting to get some overs under his belt and along with this, his confidence is building nicely. His pace is up there as well, and I believe he is someone you need in the squad.  He’s an exciting young talent and if he is going well then he has to be played.

Cummins made his Test debut at age 18 and plays domestic cricket for New South Wales
ODIs 8 Wkts 13 Eco 5.79

James Faulkner
Quickly growing his reputation as a finisher, his power hitting in the slog overs have been very explosive. I believe that since he started to put more value on his wicket and given himself a chance to get into his batting innings, has been when he’s been most effective.

An all-rounder, left-arm medium pacer and right-hand bat, Faulkner plays for Tasmania
ODIs 34 Runs 1483 Wkts 47 Eco 5.63

Xavier Doherty
Well, he is Mr Reliable and from a captaincy point of view you know what you’re going to get from Xavier. He is able to keep it tight on these flat wickets. I don’t think the wickets are going to turn much and having the off spin and the left arm spin gives some balance to the squad.
Xavier Doherty ois a left-arm spinner who is at his best in limited-over cricket
ODIs 58 Wkts 55 Eco 4.73

Shane Watson

His experience will be needed during the World Cup. He’s an explosive batsman who can really get the momentum going. Finding the right spot for him will a key point for the coaching staff. He’s bowling well at the moment, he also can take the new ball if needed.

Shane Watson is a right-handed batsman and a right-handed fast medium bowler
ODIs 179 Runs 5437 Wkts 164

Next Story
Share it