Who will go to South Africa?
Was going to try and summarise this into a tweet, but was never going to fit my reasoning into 140 characters.
Twenty20
Batting – Watson is currently in India playing in the Champions League, he went their directly from participating in every T20, ODI and Test in Sri Lanka, you could argue he’s due for a breather ahead of the Test matches in South Africa. So maybe give him this break for the T20s, and bring in someone like Aaron Finch – moving Marsh to open with Warner and slotting Finch in at 3.
Keeping – With Haddin retiring from T20I, and Paine being injured, general consensus is that Matthew Wade is the next in line. Seems perfectly reasonable.
Bowling – If Watson were to be rested, and they want another full-time pace option then I’d be swapping either Smith or O’Keefe for maybe James Pattinson. Hastings is injured so maybe even Mitch Marsh is an outside chance.
- David Warner
- Shaun Marsh
- Aaron Finch
- David Hussey
- Cameron White
- Matthew Wade
- Steve Smith / Stephen O’Keefe
- Mitchell Johnson
- Mitch Marsh
- Brett Lee
- James Pattinson
One Day International
Batting – I don’t see any need for changes to the first choice line-up, but there’s a case for keeping one or more of Warner/White/Finch as cover.
Keeping – Haddin had a rough time in Sri Lanka, but still deserves his spot, albeit with a move from opening to the middle order (to let Marsh open)
Bowling – The bowlers did suitably well in SL, so no need for sweeping changes, bring Lyon over early as cover for Doherty, or keep O’Keefe around, but other than looks ok to me. Hastings is injured so O’Keefe or maybe Mitch Marsh could fill that spot?
- Shane Watson
- Shaun Marsh
- Ricky Ponting
- Michael Clarke
- Mike Hussey
- David Hussey
- Steve Smith
- Brad Haddin
- Doug Bollinger
- Xavier Doherty
- Mitchell Johnson
- Brett Lee
- Steve O’Keefe / Mitch Marsh
- James Pattinson
Update Total brain fart, forgot that Hastings is on the injured list. Does that makes room for Mitch Marsh easier to find then?