Head may be given crack at opening
TRAVIS Head is set to be the first beneficiary of life after Aaron Finch, as a humbled Australia sets its sights on next year’s 50-over World Cup.
Selectors will on Tuesday announce the ODI squad to take on England in a threematch series to follow the World Cup final, and Australia’s early exit from the Twenty20 World Cup has seen plans shelved for any players to be rested.
Australia is expected to unveil a full-strength squad with new captain Pat Cummins at the helm, and the series shapes as an important first step in ensuring plans for the ODI World Cup in 12 months will be more solid than the ones drawn up for the failed Twenty20 campaign.
The fast-bowling power base of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc will continue to lead the charge for Australia in white ball cricket, despite suggestions they might follow England’s Stuart Broad and James Anderson into becoming Test specialists.
As well as the start of the ODI World Cup journey, the England series will double as a chance for Test stars to get in rhythm for the Test summer, with bowlers to build up their loads and perhaps Marnus Labuschagne getting a shot at tying down a place in the batting line-up.
Dashing left-hander Head looks set to be given first crack as David Warner’s new opening partner.
“I think Travis Head will get some opportunities with the retirement of Aaron Finch,” said Australian coach, Andrew McDonald.
“We’re excited to see what he can do in one-day cricket.
“We saw how he went in Pakistan against a world-class attack, he was able to take them on and his one-day domestic record is second to none.”
Steve Smith was Australia’s best player in the recent 50-over series against New Zealand and Zimbabwe, so the fact he was on the outer in the T20s won’t be a factor.
Cameron Green emerged as a cornerstone of Australia’s plans for next year’s World Cup in India, particularly because his presence as an allrounder capable of bowling 10 overs could give Cummins’ the flexibility of picking two spinners for subcontinental conditions. That means the squeeze could be on for Starc and Hazlewood, who could well be left fighting for one spot in India next year given Cummins’ selection as captain is guaranteed.
Australia will be keen for Mitchell Marsh to kick on in 50-over cricket like he had in the T20s last year, but there may be only room for one of he or Marcus Stoinis in the best XI. Stoinis struggled in the recent ODI matches, but was the best of a beaten bunch for Australia in the T20 World Cup.
Glenn Maxwell will be key for Australia in Indian conditions with his ability to play and bowl spin overs, although the recent view has been he should bat as low as No.7 in the order.