Ball-tamperers Steve Smith and David Warner were on Monday selected for Australia’s ICC?World Cup 2019 squad, but there was no room for Josh Hazlewood or Peter Handscomb.
It is the first call-up for the former captain and hisdeputy since the expiry late last month of year-long bans for their part in the”sandpapergate” scandal in Cape Town that rocked cricket.
They were eligible for the final two games of Australia’srecent limited-overs tour against Pakistan, but selectors preferred that theyeased themselves back at the Indian Premier League.
Both grabbed the opportunity and have been in good touch,particularly the bombastic Warner who has made a blistering return.
It left coach Justin Langer with a dilemma on the back ofthe defending World Cup champions winning eight one-day internationals on thetrot, against India and Pakistan.
All the top order have been firing, and it is Handscomb whois the fall guy despite averaging 43 in 13 games this year. The decision todrop him means the team only has one wicketkeeper in Alex Carey.
“We have been extremely pleased with how the ODI squad hasbeen building over the past six months, including the recent series wins inIndia and against Pakistan in the UAE,” said chief selector Trevor Hohns.
“Steve Smith and David Warner come back into the squad. Bothare world-class players and it has been pleasing to see them produce some goodform in the IPL.”
Australia’s recent red-hot form has been built on the backof a rock-solid opening partnership between skipper Aaron Finch and UsmanKhawaja.
The decision for Langer now is whether to retain thatcombination when the 50-over World Cup begins in England and Wales at the endof next month or move one of them down to make way for Warner, whotraditionally opens the batting.
Shaun Marsh, Smith, Glenn Maxwell and all-rounder MarcusStoinis make up the middle order.
Selectors opted for two spinners in Adam Zampa and NathanLyon and five quick bowlers.
As with the batsmen, Australia’s selectors faced a bowling conundrum as they target a record sixth World Cup triumph.