Race on for World Cup spots
AUSTRALIA will spend the next week deciding which batsman to cull alongside Ashton Turner now that Steve Smith and David Warner are expected to walk into the World Cup cricket squad.
While the ICC deadline for submitting 15-man squads is not until April 23, it is understood the Aussies are set to lodge theirs next week.
Coach Justin Langer said the line-up was “becoming more obvious by the day” for Australia, who are on an eightmatch ODI winning streak after series wins against India and Pakistan.
Ricky Ponting, an assistant for the World Cup, texted Langer last week to say he wished the World Cup was starting now given Australia’s rich form. Turner did not play in the 5-0 whitewash against Pakistan and is tipped to make way, while Shaun Marsh or Peter Handscomb is also likely to miss out.
Handscomb has told Langer he wants to wear the gloves at the World Cup and his selection would provide a back-up wicketkeeping option to Alex Carey.