TOPIC:

News coming through today is that Steve Smith may not be selected in the World Cup squad to give him more time to recover from his elbow surgery so that he will be fit to play in the ashes. However there is every indication that Warner will be in the squad due to be announced on April 23.
There will be 15 allowed in the squad of which you would assume there would be 6 batsmen, 6 bowlers, a couple of all rounders and the keeper. Not definite I suppose but this configuration seems to be a balanced one.

There are a few ODI tours of India and UAE prior to the squad announcement which will obviously have a big say in who gets picked but to give an idea of who might be in the frame I went back to the ODI's that have been played this summer ( 3 v India and 3 v South Africa) and discovered that 20 players participated in one or more of these games, they were
1. Carey
2. Finch
3. Khawaja
4. Shaun Marsh
5. Handscomb
6. Stoinis
7. Maxwell
8. Jhye Richardson
9. Lyon
10. Siddle
11. Berendorff
12. Zampa
13. Stanlake
14. Head
15. Short
16. Lynn
17. Cummins
18. Coulter-Nile
19. Starc
20.Hazlewood

So assuming Warner is in, 14 of this group would be in. Based on my original squad configuration we would have

6 Batsmen; Finch, Shaun Marsh, Warner, Handscomb, Head, Short

6 Bowlers Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins, Richardson, Lyon, Zampa

2 all rounders Maxwell, Stoinis

Keeper Carey

Obviously a lot can change in a few months. Would be interested in others views. Just looking at that squad they could be tempted to take another fast bowler such as Stanlake or Coulter-Nile at the expense of one of the batsmen. I have left out Khawaja becuase I think he should focus on the ashes like Smith

I think your squad will be pretty close to the mark Mike.
Hasnt Mitch Marsh had a massive fall from grace this summer all due to continual poor form with both bat and ball.

1/3rd of the team West Aussies, or playing here? Don’t reckon that will fly with the wise men from the east mike. Also Siddle?

Agree re siddle.

Got those chips fer ya 58:lol:

I'm confused. Are you guys saying Siddle should be in the squad? Totally disagree. Why would you pick him when there are so many young bowlers around the country who would benefit from the experience of a World Cup. Lets face it we are not going to win the thing or even make the semi finals.

Surely Siddle's time is up. Behrendorff or Stanlake would be better options than him if an extra quick is selected in the final touring squad.

mikeh wrote: I'm confused. Are you guys saying Siddle should be in the squad? Totally disagree. Why would you pick him when there are so many young bowlers around the country who would benefit from the experience of a World Cup. Lets face it we are not going to win the thing or even make the semi finals.

Mike we pushed India in the Odi's.Then they went accross the ditch and belted the talked up Black Caps.We need a power middle order hitter like Short.or Stonis.That will also help Shaun Marsh to get his eye in.And Richardson to keep taking wickets

Wouldn't you add a second keeper as WADE is on fire .
If Carey is injured that leaves Handscomb as sole keeper.

Surely Lynn is a certainty over Head....keep Head for the A tour and playing the Duke in the shield...bowling wise Behrendorf surely over Siddle is a no brainer...can't see the need for Starc TBH if Behrendorf plays....Cummins in I guess with J Richardson....is Hazlewood needed?....get him on the A tour and bowling the Duke in the shield....Lyon won't be picked....Zampa and some Short/ Maxy overs....

Warner Short Stoinis S Marsh Lynn Maxwell Carey Cummins Richardson Zampa Behrendorf...backs up in Handscomb Stanlake Ahmed Wade Meredith and Philippe as the roughies

Leather Stops wrote: Wouldn't you add a second keeper as WADE is on fire .
If Carey is injured that leaves Handscomb as sole keeper.

Love watching Wade when he goes to work with the bat!!