Paine takes charge of Australia at lowest ebb

England have never been in such a strong position a year before a World Cup, while Australia, fivetime winners and holders, have never been in a worse state.

While Eoin Morgan could probably hand in his team-sheet now for the opening World Cup match on May 30, 2019, such is the solidity around England’s line-up, his opposite number, Tim Paine, is not even certain of being at the competition himself, let alone close to knowing his preferred XI.

Paine has been appointed only for this series and regained his place in the one-day side in January after nearly seven years out. A year ago, he was close to retirement and

taking up a job with Kookaburra before fate intervened and catapulted him into one of the most prestigious positions in sport.

Australia’s batting line-up was unsettled even before the ball-tampering bans for Steve Smith and David Warner. Cameron White, 35, was recalled for the England series in the winter but was dropped after three games and Smith and Warner are the only two Australians in the top 20 run-scorers since the last World Cup, contributing 14 of the 23 hundreds their batsmen have made in that time.

Their Ashes-winning fast bowlers are struggling to cope with the workload of playing three codes, and none of them are here.

Nathan Lyon has not played a 50over game for Australia for two years, but is in this squad due to a lack of alternatives and the vague hope he can continue his Ashes hold over England left-handers.

Glenn Maxwell has been given another chance to prove he has the right level of professionalism for international cricket, having been publicly criticised by Smith when left out of the first four games against England in January. Shaun Marsh has spent a decade on the periphery of Australia’s one-day side but is recalled yet again for this series to add experience in the absence of Smith and Warner, but it is the loss of his brother Mitchell with injury that is possibly the biggest blow.

Australia have lost their past three ODI series, including nine matches from 10 during that period.

Meanwhile, New Zealand cricket great Richard Hadlee has undergone surgery for bowel cancer, his family said in a statement. The illness was diagnosed last month when Hadlee, 66, had a routine colonoscopy. A tumour was discovered which has since been removed and Hadlee is expected to make a full recovery.