Cricket icon Shane Warne has named his 15-man Australia squad for the World Cup, and made the bold call of leaving out one-day international cricket’s highest scoring batsman in 2019. With David Warner and Steve Smith now eligible for national selection, Warne has omitted the in-form duo of Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb. The iconic leg-spinner has also called for the inclusion of D’Arcy Short, pencilling him in to open alongside Warner with captain Aaron Finch to bat No.3 Stream every game of the 2019 Indian Premier League on KAYO SPORTS. Stream on your TV or favourite device in HD. Get your 14 day free trial > Warne’s squad: David Warner, D’Arcy Short, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson (if fit), Adam Zampa, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Lyon, Ashton Turner, Nathan Coulter-Nile. No more ODI’s for Aust til lthe World Cup. Remember the conditions in England will be nothing like the recent tours to India and the UAE. So a tough job for the selectors as players are going to miss out even though they have form. So my team would be.... — Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) April 8, 2019 My squad of 15 Warner Short Finch Smith Maxwell Stoinis Carey Cummins Starc Richardson J (if fit) Zampa Plus Marsh S N Lyon A Turner Coulter-Nile Thoughts followers ? Agree ? — Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) April 8, 2019 Short has not been selected for any of Australia’s past 15 ODIs and his selection ahead of Khawaja would be a particularly brave call given the left-hander’s form. Khawaja sits atop the ODI run-scoring charts in 2019 (769 at 59.15), with Finch one spot behind (634 at 52.83). However, much of Khawaja’s success has come across Australia’s past 10 ODIs, all of which have been in Asia. “Remember the conditions in England will be nothing like the recent tours to India and the UAE”, Warne posted on Twitter before releasing his squad. “So a tough job for the selectors as players are going to miss out even though they have form.” Starc chasing $1.53m after missing IPL Warner blazes another half-century in monster IPL season Fox Cricket experts pick their World Cup squads Warne is not the only former player to have pushed Short’s case at the expense of Khawaja, with fellow Fox Cricket commentator Ian Healy also vouching for the wrist-spinning all-rounder in his squad. Warne has also backed rookie right-hander Ashton Turner for a call-up. Turner has only played three ODIs to date — all this year — but has left an impression in his short international career to date. He most notably scored an unbeaten 84 off 43 to help Australia to its greatest ever run chase last month against India. Fellow former leg-spinner Kerry O’Keeffe has also spruiked Turner’s merits. On the most recent edition of foxsports.com.au’s The Follow-On Podcast, O’Keeffe pushed for the Western Australian to be included in the XI as the team’s finisher. *** LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE HERE — Skull’s WC XI, BBL Finals change, Vic’s Shield dynasty ON YOUR PHONE? CLICK HERE TO LISTEN<doc-sep>Jhye Richardson and Ashton Turner look likely to be left out of Australia’s 15-man World Cup squad. Australia do not have any more matches prior to unveiling their World Cup squad on April 23, before a training camp in Brisbane in early May, which will include warm-up matches against New Zealand. Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Reddit Email Share A host of previously fringe ODI players made strong cases to be picked for that tournament as the Aussies won eight matches on the trot in the UAE and India over the past month. But while Richardson and Turner look at home in limited overs internationals, they appear set to miss out due to a logjam of other players. This is the 15 players my gut tells me will be selected, based on recent media interviews with Australian coach Justin Langer and informed by the manner in which the selectors have stuck with certain players over the past few months. 1. Aaron Finch 2. David Warner 3. Usman Khawaja 4. Steve Smith 5. Shaun Marsh 6. Peter Handscomb 7. Marcus Stoinis 8. Glenn Maxwell 9. Alex Carey 10. Mitchell Starc 11. Pat Cummins 12. Josh Hazlewood 13. Nathan Coulter-Nile 14. Adam Zampa 15. Nathan Lyon Advertisement Advertisement The most controversial omission from this squad is Richardson, who suffered a nasty shoulder dislocation while fielding in the UAE and missed the final three ODIs of that series. Although Richardson is not expected to need surgery, such dislocations typically are tricky for fast bowlers to recover from. The 22-year-old has never before suffered such an injury and Cricket Australia would be taking a risk by giving a prized World Cup position to the youngster while he is still early in his recovery period. Were he fit, Richardson would have been all but a lock after taking 17 wickets at 21 this year. Instead, Australia will likely pick the experienced pace quartet of Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Coulter-Nile. Recent reports suggest both Starc and Hazlewood will be fit well in time to play World Cup warm-up matches, and they are Australia’s two most accomplished bowlers. Cummins, meanwhile, is in career-best form, having taken 17 wickets at 14 across the tours of India and the UAE. Then there’s Coulter-Nile, the 31-year-old who has been consistently effective in white-ball cricket and has a fine record of 48 wickets at 26. Advertisement Advertisement In the end, worries about Richardson’s fitness and the vast experience of Coulter-Nile will see the latter make this squad over the former. Experience, or lack of it, is what will hold back Turner. The 26-year-old was a shock replacement for the ill Mitch Marsh for the recent five-match series in India. Turner had done little to earn this spot, having scored only one half-century in List A cricket over the previous five years. Then he did something extraordinary, which vaulted him into the World Cup squads of many Australian fans and pundits. Turner came to the crease in the fourth ODI in India, with Australia seemingly dead and buried at 2-1 down in the series, needing 130 from 77 balls against the world’s best attack on their home turf. Turner dismantled the bowling unit, making 84* from 43 balls to help chase down a monstrous total of 359. The problem for Turner is that he’s had little chance to prove that performance wasn’t an outlier, that he can perform at a consistently high level. He did not play once in Australia’s five matches in Pakistan, not even getting a look in for the two dead rubbers, which suggests he is not in World Cup plans. Advertisement Advertisement Impressive recent form means Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb and Glenn Maxwell all appear likely to make the squad. Stoinis has been poor for some time now, averaging just 25 with the bat in his past 20 ODIs, but he will be saved by a desire to field two batting all-rounders in the starting XI to share ten overs of bowling. Sports opinion delivered daily Which brings us to the no-longer-banned stars, Warner and Smith. Advertisement Advertisement The former is easily Australia’s best ODI batsman and has returned to elite cricket in dominant touch with three scorching knocks in the IPL. Smith, meanwhile, has an outstanding record at first drop, averaging 53 with seven tons from just 53 matches. His experience, fantastic record under pressure, ability to quell the world’s best bowlers, and sheer star power will see Smith picked in this squad, unless perhaps he has a shocker in the IPL over the next three weeks.<doc-sep>April 9 is expected to be one of Australia’s toughest selection meetings in recent memory but coach Justin Langer feels the 15-man World Cup squad is now starting to become obvious. Langer’s team have struck form in their run to the World Cup, backing up a landmark 3-2 ODI series win in India with a 5-0 thumping of Pakistan. Selectors have a week to decide who to axe for Steve Smith and David Warner, resolve many other conundrums and settle on Cricket Australia’s annual contract list. Ashton Turner, having played three of the past 10 ODIs, will drop out of the 15-man squad. Shaun Marsh, who scored 61 in Sunday’s UAE series finale, and Peter Handscomb are seemingly locked in a dogfight to be the reserve batsman in the World Cup travelling party. Marsh’s versatility and form over the past year counts in his favour but Handscomb’s part-time keeping will also be on selectors’ minds. Nathan Lyon and Adam Zampa are all but locked in for their maiden World Cup campaigns after bowling beautifully in tandem during the past month. Perhaps the most difficult call for Langer and selectors will be deciding whether to include three injured pacemen. Mitchell Starc (torn pec), Josh Hazlewood (back) and Jhye Richardson (dislocated shoulder) are all racing the clock to be fit for the 50-over tournament. “That’s going to be the biggest challenge I reckon, working out where they are at with their injuries,” Langer said. “There’s actually some good depth of talent now. It’s not just about three bowlers (Starc, Hazlewood and Pat Cummins). There’s a number of guys who we could easily select.” Australia can make changes to its squad without special approval until May 23. Langer suggested the World Cup squad is “becoming more obvious by the day” to him and selectors. “There are going to be one or two guys brutally unlucky,” Langer said. “Because they’re all going so well. “There’s obviously going to be a couple of really disappointed players … all the blokes in the squad at the moment will be praying it’s not them.” AUSTRALIA’S LIKELY CUP SQUAD In: Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa Maybe: Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Jhye Richardson, Nathan Coulter-Nile Out: Ashton Turner, Jason Behrendorff, Kane Richardson Langer didn’t categorically confirm the inclusion of Zampa and Lyon but praised both tweakers and noted they could offer much-needed flexibility in Australia’s campaign that starts in England on June 1. Langer is still mulling whether to break up Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja’s productive opening partnership. Khawaja and Finch, who shared a 134-run stand as Australia made it eight ODI wins on the trot, have been the team’s form batsmen in their recent resurgence. “This partnership is blossoming ... they did it in the Test series (in the UAE) as well, they seem to gel really well,” Langer said. “They’re both pretty chilled out. They work really well together. “Aaron has had a really good partnership with David Warner as well ... we’ll do what’s best for the team.” An Australia A tour of England will overlap with the 50-over showpiece, ensuring selectors have match-fit replacements for any injured players. “We’re really lucky … we’ve got 18 or 19 players who can easily step up and help us win a World Cup,” Langer said. Langer argued the squad’s downtime in April would be a dangerous period. “Punter (Ricky Ponting) texted me a couple of daysago and said he wished the World Cup was starting today,” he said. “It’s going to be a challenging month. We’ve got to stay ready.” ARTHUR: AUSSIES CAN WIN IT Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur has declared Australia will be a threat at the World Cup, having watched them steamroll his team 5-0 in an ODI series. Arthur, who coached Australia from 2011 until 2013, was thoroughly impressed with how clinical some of his former charges were during the past fortnight. “I definitely think they are (capable of winning the World Cup). They’re travelling really well,” Arthur said. “All the final jigsaw parts are coming together nicely. “Australia look a very, very good side. They will be a threat at the World Cup … I think there’s up to seven teams that can win the World Cup.” Pakistan rested six stars, including captain Sarfraz Ahmed, from the entire series but Australia’s XI is also likely to look different at the 50-over tournament. Pat Cummins was wrapped in cotton wool for four of five games against Pakistan, while Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood all remain confident about their chances of taking part in Australia’s World Cup defence. “You get Warner and Smith back, you put Starc and Cummins back into that line- up. It’s pretty formidable,” Arthur said.<doc-sep>What's the story? Former Australian captain Shane Warne has picked his 15-member Australian squad for the ICC World Cup 2019 but has left out in-form Usman Khawaja, which has come as a huge surprise for the fans. In case you didn't know... All the teams are gearing up for the World Cup squad selection as the ICC deadline to submit the team member list is just 14 days away. Australia are expected to announce the squad in a week, with plenty of the fans' attention being devoted to the top order as Steve Smith and David Warner have become available for selection again. The defending champions are peaking at the right time, having defeated both India and Pakistan in recent bilateral series. The heart of the matter The Australian legend has picked his squad for the mega event, but has shockingly omitted Khawaja despite the fact that the latter has been in prime form recently. Warne chose D'Arcy Short instead of Khawaja in the team. Apart form this strange selection the team is relatively on expected lines. Warne has included three openers - Short, Aaron Finch and David Warner, and for the middle order he has picked Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh. The leg spinner has gone with three all-rounders - Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and the Indian series sensation Ashton Turner. He has picked Alex Carey for the wicketkeeping slot. When it comes to the spin department, both Adam Zampa and the experienced Nathan Lyon get a place in Warne's World Cup squad. The team also consists of a lethal bowling attack as he has included Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jhye Richardson and Mitchell Starc. If Australia pick these four bowlers then it will be one of the best bowling attacks in the tournament. Shane Warne’s squad: David Warner, D'Arcy Short, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson (if fit), Adam Zampa, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Lyon, Ashton Turner, Nathan Coulter-Nile. What's next? A few Australian players are currently playing in the IPL, but many of them opted out keeping the World Cup in mind. The defending champions will begin their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on the 1st of June at Bristol.<doc-sep>
There’s no cricket left to be played and nothing but fitness to sweat on ahead of the April 22 deadline for Australia to name its World Cup squad. And while plenty of players have made convincing cases to lock down their spots, just who makes the final 15 is anyone’s guess. A run of eight straight wins without cricketers of the calibre of David Warner, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood has only caused more confusion. Stream every game of the 2019 Indian Premier League on KAYO SPORTS. Stream on your TV or favourite device in HD. Get your 14 day free trial > In coach Justin Langer’s own words, some players will be “brutally unlucky” to miss the cut. It’s a good problem to have for selectors but a problem nonetheless. It’s a problem we put to Fox Cricket experts and Australian greats Allan Border, Mark Waugh – both former selectors – Mike Hussey, Ian Healy and Kerry O’Keeffe. BORDER’S FIFTEEN Aaron Finch, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff, Jhye Richardson (pending fitness), Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa Given the success Australia has enjoyed over the past month and a half, Border believes those who have played a key role in the current eight-match winning streak deserve to hold onto their spots. That means there’s no room for Josh Hazlewood in his squad. However he could not resist the temptation to select Mitchell Starc, the 2015 World Cup player of the tournament. If Jhye Richardson fails to overcome his shoulder injury in time for the tournament, Border has backed Kane Richardson to take his place. With a number of Australians plying their trade in county cricket this winter, including part-time keeper Cameron Bancroft, and Australia A in the UK from June, Border opted against picking a back-up keeper. Smith puts WC fitness doubts to bed with glittering IPL fifty 48 off 13 balls: Dre Russ proves he’s the ‘scariest in world cricket’ 6-12: Debutant makes IPL history in stunning demolition job Allan Border won the World Cup in 1987. Source: News Limited WAUGH’S FIFTEEN David Warner, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Peter Handscomb, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon, Jhye Richardson (pending fitness) Waugh, a part of the panel that selected Australia’s World Cup sinning squad of 2015, made three changes to the group that toured the United Arab Emirates. Alongside the returning Warner and Smith, Waugh also selected the fit-again Starc, with Jason Behrendroff, Kane Richardson and Ashton Turner going the other way. Waugh nominated Western Australia’s Matt Kelly as the man to come in if Richardson failed to recover in time. Skull’s WC XI, BBL Finals change, Vic’s Shield dynasty — The Follow-On Podcast Mark Waugh celebrates Australia’s 1999 World Cup win with brother Steve and spinner Shane Warne. Source: News Limited O’KEEFFE’S FIFTEEN David Warner, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Handscomb, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon A fan of Ashton Turner’s abilitites to finish off a chase, O’Keeffe has made the bold call of picking him ahead of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. “If you come in the middle order in those middle overs 11-40 against the good spinners, he has the hitting game late but does he have the rhythm and the rotation to work his way into a hitting situation against the better bowlers? That question will be answered,” O’Keffee said on The Follow-On podcast. “Ashton Turner to me is a real finisher, who has got the rhythm.” HEALY’S FIFTEEN Aaron Finch, David Warner, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Peter Handscomb, D’Arcy Short, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Coulter-Nile With Warner back in the mix, Healy could not find room for the in-form Usman Khawaja in his fifteen. However, he would like to see D’Arcy Short included. While Short has failed to set the world alight in ODI colours (83 runs at 27.66), he has topped the BBL run-scoring charts for the past two seasons and also offers a spin-bowling option to captain Finch if needed. Healy has gone heavy on pace, with Zampa the only specialist spinner included in a bowling group that features Pat Cummins, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Coulter-Nile.