Australia are set to make use of their five-match ODI collection towards South Africa to decide on their most well-liked opening partnership for the World Cup, with Travis Head, Mitch Marsh and David Warner locked in a three-way battle.
Head plundered 91 off 48 balls on Sunday as Australia wrapped up a 3-0 T20 collection whitewash towards South Africa in Durban.
Mitch Marsh was named participant of the collection after producing knocks of 92no, 79no and 15 in a dream begin to his captaincy tenure.
With Pat Cummins (fractured wrist) nonetheless sidelined, Marsh may even captain the facet within the ODI collection towards South Africa, beginning in Bloemfontein on Thursday.
Warner has been a lock on the prime of the order for many of his glittering 142-match ODI profession, however Marsh and Head’s sizzling type pushed him to No.4 when Australia confronted India in March.
Australia have simply eight matches to organize for the October 5-November 19 ODI World Cup in India – the 5 towards South Africa, and a three-match collection in India.
Assistant coach Michael Di Venuto mentioned the collection towards South Africa was an opportunity for gamers to press their case to open on the World Cup.
“There’s lots of options for us moving forward opening the batting,” Di Venuto mentioned.
“If you look at the World Cup, David Warner comes back into the mix, Mitch Marsh, Travis Head.
“They’ve all acquired good type just lately that they’ll all put a case ahead to open the batting on the World Cup.”
Star batsman Steve Smith (wrist) and paceman Mitchell Starc (groin) will miss the ODI series against South Africa.
Smith’s injury meant Marnus Labuschagne earned a late call-up for the South Africa ODI tour, and he’s keen to push his case to bat at No.4 for the World Cup.
Spinner Adam Zampa was left out of the third T20 against South Africa due to a neck injury but is expected to be fit for the ODI series.
“He’s positive,” Di Venuto mentioned.
“He was sick for the primary sport, got here again for the second – he did his neck within the warm-up.
“It affected him during the second game. There was no point risking a world-class performer like that in game three here.
“It additionally gave us a chance to present Tanveer (Sangha) one other sport of worldwide cricket.”
Di Venuto praised the captaincy of Marsh through the T20 collection, describing him as a pure chief.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
