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Aussies searching for best ODI XI

Players put through an intense intra-squad match as selectors mull winning combination

Paceman Josh Hazlewood concedes there are plenty of unknowns surrounding Australia's best XI for their ICC Champions Trophy campaign, less than a fortnight out from their tournament opener against New Zealand.

Australia's squad (minus Steve Smith and Adam Zampa, who are en route to the UK from the Indian Premier League) had their first serious hit-out of the tour on Monday, a lengthy centre-wicket session at the picturesque Whitgift school in South Croydon, some 20km south of the team's London base.

Image Id: 6031B308FA4C4A709F1EF7996FCBA958 Image Caption: Australia practice at the Whitgift School // cricket.com.au

And given the selection uncertainty heading into what is essentially a three-week knockout tournament, there was plenty on the line as the 13 Australian players – and some lucky members of the school's first XI who helped in the field – sweated it out on a warm spring day.

The high volume of one-day international cricket played over the past 12 months, which has seen Australia pull on the coloured clothing in the Caribbean, Sri Lanka, South Africa, New Zealand and at home since June last year, has seen a total of 28 players used in 28 matches during that period.

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The resting of some stars for these series has opened the door for others to push their case and, according to Hazlewood, means all 15 members of the current squad have a genuine claim to be in Australia's best XI.

So while head selector Trevor Hohns and coach Darren Lehmann no doubt have a side in mind for the clash against the Black Caps on June 2, individual performances in the warm-up games against Sri Lanka at The Oval on Friday and Pakistan at Edgbaston next Monday could be a deciding factor.

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"I guess there is (unknowns)," Hazlewood said after play.

"Obviously over the last 6-12 months there's been a few people rested from different tours and we've had injuries as well. That's just the way the schedule is.

"Every player of the 15 puts a good case forward when you look at it on paper so it's going to be tough work for the selectors."

Monday morning's session started in almost comical fashion when Aaron Finch and Chris Lynn, who could be battling each other to partner David Warner at the top of the order, were involved in a mix-up on the second ball of the day and a direct hit from Warner saw Lynn dismissed without facing a ball.

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But on a day where time in the middle was the priority, Lynn later had several more stints at the crease and showed off some of the powerful strokeplay that could make him Australia's trump card in this tournament.

All of the batters had multiple hits in the middle, with the exception of Warner, who was content with an impressive workout in the field and facing some balls in the nets.

While Travis Head and Marcus Stoinis both struck the ball well, the standout batter of the day was wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who launched Victorian teammate John Hastings for several huge sixes late in the session.

Hastings and Australia's 'Big Four' quicks all had several solid stints at the bowling crease as did the squad's quartet of allrounders; Head, Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Moises Henriques.

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Aside from the opening conundrum – Finch, Lynn and Head all have claims to partner Warner at the top – most contention surrounds how the Big Four as well as Hastings and Zampa will fit into what will likely be just four available bowling spots.

Hazlewood said conditions would dictate if he Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Pat Cummins will be unleashed in the same side for the very first time at international level, adding the upcoming warm-up games will act as important selection trials.

Image Id: 2EF1F6DA47F0412C825C368566A59F42 Image Caption: Hazlewood sends down a delivery to Finch // cricket.com.au

"We've grown up playing against each other in different tournaments ... so it's great to have us all here together and bowling well," Hazlewood said of his pace-bowling partners.

"(Starc and I) have been playing the majority of the past two or three years together and we've been doing really well. But the other two are unbelievable bowlers in their own right so it's going to be a tough gig for the selectors for that first game.

"We've obviously got a couple of warm-up games and a bit more training to go so we'll enjoy the next week leading in."

Champions Trophy 2017 Guide

AUSTRALIA SQUAD: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa

Other squads: Every Champions Trophy squad

Group A: Australia, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh.

Group B: India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan.


Schedule


Warm-up matches


26 May – Australia v Sri Lanka, The Oval

27 May – Bangladesh v Pakistan, Edgbaston

28 May – India v New Zealand, The Oval

29 May – Australia v Pakistan, Edgbaston

30 May – New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Edgbaston

30 May – Bangladesh vs India, The Oval


Tournament


1 June – England v Bangladesh, The Oval (Day)

2 June – Australia v New Zealand, Edgbaston (D)

3 June – Sri Lanka v South Africa, The Oval (D)

4 June – India v Pakistan, Edgbaston (D)

5 June – Australia v Bangladesh, The Oval (D/N)

6 June – England v New Zealand, Cardiff (D)

7 June – Pakistan v South Africa, Edgbaston (D/N)

8 June – India v Sri Lanka, The Oval (D)

9 June – New Zealand v Bangladesh, Cardiff (D)

10 June – England v Australia, Edgbaston (D)

11 June – India v South Africa, The Oval (D)

12 June – Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Cardiff (D)

14 June – First semi-final (A1 v B2), Cardiff (D)

15 June – Second semi-final (A2 v B1), Edgbaston (D)

18 June – Final, The Oval (D)


19 June – Reserve day (D)