SPIN THE BATTLE

Selectors discard master blasters for veterans

AUSTRALIA’S vulnerability against spin bowling has seen Chris Lynn, Travis Head and D’Arcy Short chopped from the ODI squad as part of a game plan overhaul geared towards saving the World Cup defence.

Captain Aaron Finch revealed the recent trend for opponents to load up with as many as 25 overs of spin against Australia was a key factor in the 11th-hour shake-up.

A CricViz analysis yesterday showed Shaun Marsh was among the country’s best players of spin as well as confirming the struggles of Lynn, Short and Head.

Marsh averages 36.5 runs at a strike-rate of 76.4 against pace but that climbs to 54.5 and 91.7 against spin.

Lynn (pictured above) and Short have only played four ODIs each but their weaknesses against spin were exposed in the JLT Cup.

Lynn’s strike-rate dropped from 112.1 (pace) to 75.8 (spin) while Short’s strike-rate slipped from 147.8 to 119.2.

Victorians Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch and Pete Handscomb all score faster against spinners with Maxwell’s average jumping 10 runs.

“Teams are bowling 20-25 overs of spin at us at the moment in oneday cricket, that’s the recent trend,” Finch said.

“So it’s probably just a different make-up of the side to help navigate through the middle overs.

“Do you pick a game plan and (then) pick a side for that, or do you pick a side and then pick a game plan?

“We’ve sat down as a group and talked World Cup – and starting to get some pieces in place and see where that leads.”

Australia’s batting plans have dramatically changed since November’s ODI series loss (2-1) to South Africa on home soil, where Lynn, Short and Head all failed to register a half-century.

Australia was world cricket’s lowest-ranked ODI nation in 2018.

“We (picked) guys with high strike-rates (against South Africa), and that was on the back of the JLT Cup where they were the highest run-scorers and the best players in that competition,” Finch said.

Lynn averaged 19.6 runs, Head just five runs and Short made a duck in his only appearance against South Africa.

But Finch said it was not the end for the country’s six-machines.

“I’ve seen the form (Short’s) been in, he’s been hitting the balls as clean as I’ve ever seen him,” Finch said. “His turn will come, no doubt.”

After Australia’s threematch series against India it plays a return five-game series and then another five-game series against Pakistan.

“To be a really good side and win a World Cup in English conditions that are going to be wearing and probably turn a little bit towards the end of the tournament, these are the tours you’ve got to really look forward to and really look to take the game on,” Finch said.

■ Selectors will today name the squad for the two-test series with Sri Lanka with fast bowlers Dan Worrall, Chris Tremain and Scott Boland are vying for a place alongside the misfiring Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.