3 minute read
A look at Australia's 15-man squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, beginning Thursday.
HOW AUSTRALIA'S 15-MAN SQUAD SHAPE UP FOR THE WORLD CUP
AARON FINCH
Age: 32
ODIs: 109
Right-handed batsman
ODI batting average: 39.33
Captains in a World Cup for the first time after taking over last year. Found form against Pakistan in March after a struggling for runs early as skipper.
DAVID WARNER
Age: 32
ODIs: 106
Left-handed batsman
ODI batting average: 43.43
Back in Australian colours after serving his 12-month ball-tampering ban. Has plundered plenty of runs in his time away and will need to have a big tournament for Australia to fire.
USMAN KHAWAJA
Age: 32
ODIs: 31
Left-handed batsman
ODI batting average: 44.21
Playing in his first World Cup after being recalled to the one-day side last summer. Averages more than 50 as an opener but is in a battle to retain a spot at the top given Warner's return.
SHAUN MARSH
Age: 35
ODIs: 71
Left-handed batsman
ODI batting average: 41.62
Looked set to be a fixture of Australia's top order after a strong home summer but now finds himself in a fight for the No.3 spot. Could be used to control the team's innings if picked ahead of Usman Khawaja.
STEVE SMITH
Age: 29
ODIs: 108
Right-handed batsman
ODI batting average: 41.84
Signs are good for Australia's best batsman on return from his 12-month ban. Has hit 394 runs at 131.33 in the team's six warm-up games and looks ready to make up for lost time.
GLENN MAXWELL
Age: 30
ODIs: 100
Right-handed batsman/right-arm offspin
ODI batting average: 33.33
ODI bowling average: 44.60
Shapes as Australia's X-factor on the small English grounds. Looks set to bat in the more familiar position of No.5 while his bowling workload has increased significantly under Finch.
MARCUS STOINIS
Age: 30
ODIs: 100
Right-handed batsman/right-arm medium
ODI batting average: 38.52
ODI bowling average: 46.23
Exploded onto the scene in New Zealand in 2017 but has endured a tough run lately. Will have the crucial job of upping the ante late in the innings during a tournament where 350 could be considered close to par.
ALEX CAREY
Age: 27
ODIs: 19
Wicketkeeper/Left-handed batsman
ODI batting average: 30.64
Safe gloveman who rose to the vice-captaincy quickly in the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal. Has previously spent time at the top of the order but will fill the tricky No.7 role with the bat.
PAT CUMMINS
Age: 26
ODIs: 48
Right-arm fast
ODI batting average: 26.53
Australian cricket's golden boy after a prolific home summer. Played just two games in the 2015 World Cup but shapes as the team's key with the ball in England.
NATHAN COULTER-NILE
Age: 31
ODIs: 27
Right-arm fast
ODI bowling average: 26.56
Has overcome a nightmare injury run to be fit. Took seven wickets in three games against Pakistan in March while his lower-order batting could help his push for selection.
MITCHELL STARC
Age: 29
ODIs: 75
Left-arm fast
ODI bowling average: 21.44
Was the player of the tournament in 2015 with took 22 wickets at the almighty average of 10.18. Struggled to find his rhythm over the home summer but could be a match-winner for Australia.
JASON BEHRENDORFF
Age: 29
ODIs: 6
Left-arm fast-medium
ODI bowling average: 41.42
Australia's least experienced player. Has had four episodes of stress fractures in his back but made a resounding return over the summer.
KANE RICHARDSON
Age: 28
ODIs: 20
Right-arm fast-medium
ODI bowling average: 32.82
Late addition to the squad after Jhye Richardson pulled out with a dislocated shoulder. Made his name in the game's shortest format with his control late in the innings.
ADAM ZAMPA
Age: 27
ODIs: 44
Right-arm legspin
ODI bowling average: 35.45
Back to his best after a difficult 2018. Bowls with great control and is quick through the air, making his game suitable to the one-day format. Australia's first-choice spinner.
NATHAN LYON
Age: 31
ODIs: 25
Right-arm offspin
ODI bowling average: 44.34
Australia's chief red-ball spinner will likely come in and out of the side based on conditions and opponents as Justin Langer toys with the idea of two turners.
