View the cricket.com.au form guide for Australian players dreaming of a World Cup berth
Australia World Cup squad naming looms
The battle for one-day international cricket’s greatest prize begins on February 14 and after months of speculation, Australia’s final 15-man squad will be released on Sunday.
Here is the cricket.com.au form guide, mapping out which players are hot, who’s searching for a form reversal and who has emerged to challenge for a World Cup berth.
The Incumbents
Australia snared a 4-1 series win over South Africa in November’s Carlton Mid One-Day Series, giving the side a boost of confidence ahead of the World Cup.
Australia used 17 players used over five matches, giving selectors plenty of opportunities to see the World Cup contenders in action, while wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was rested for the series.
Name: Michael Clarke (captain) Age: 33 ODIs: 238
Runs: 7762 at 44.86, strike rate 78.59
Wickets: 56 at 38.07, economy rate 5.01
Clarke’s recovery from hamstring surgery is the only thing standing between the skipper and the World Cup squad, although he is expected to be named. In six ODIs in 2014, Clarke scored 181 runs including an unbeaten 68 against Zimbabwe in August and 43 against England in January.
Clarke was sent home from August’s triangular series against South Africa and Zimbabwe due to a hamstring injury, then missed the majority of the November ODI series against South Africa after re-aggravating the injury. A recurrence of the issue in December saw him undergo surgery.
The skipper has stated his determination to play in the World Cup, telling the Nine Network's The Cricket Show during the Boxing Day Test: "I don't think it's probably realistic for me to be 100 per cent fit for the first game, but I think I will certainly be fit and available for the majority of the World Cup."
The Sydney Cricket Ground, where Australia will play Sri Lanka, has been a happy hunting ground for Clarke in 50-over cricket – he has one century and six fifties at the ground. The skipper has also scored a fifty at Auckland’s Eden Park, where Australia will play New Zealand during the group stages.
Name: George Bailey Age: 32 ODIs: 52
Runs: 1945 at 44.2, strike rate 87.96
Bailey averaged 23.88 in his 17 ODI innings in 2014. He produced three fifties for the year, including 70 against South Africa in November’s Carlton Mid ODI series, but he managed only 25, 12, 16 and 4 in the remaining matches when filling in as captain for an injured Michael Clarke.
In December, Bailey said he was ready to step in as Australia captain should Michael Clarke be unable to play in the tournament.
"To have the honour of leading that team - whoever does that - it would be a huge thrill for them, particularly given the way the team is placed,” he said.
Bailey, who has scored a century and a fifty at Perth where Australia will play Afghanistan during the Cup, reminded selectors of his potential with 71 from 44 balls for Hobart Hurricanes in BBL|04 in late December.
Name: Nathan Coulter-Nile Age: 27 ODIs: 10
Runs: 60 at 15, strike rate 73.17
Wickets: 16 at 30.06, economy rate 5.46
An aggressive fast bowler who is also capable with the bat, Nathan Coulter-Nile became a semi-regular member of Australia’s limited-overs sides in 2013-14.
In early 2014 he took two bags of three wickets against England, and he carried on the good form when included in the squad for November’s one-day series, taking five wickets at 23.6 in three matches before re-injuring the same hamstring that he had surgery on earlier in the year.
In December, Coulter-Nile admitted making Australia’s World Cup squad would be difficult after the setback. "The World Cup is going to be tough just because I'm not going to get any cricket in," he told News Ltd. "It's definitely a goal, but realistically I think it's going to be very hard work for me to get in there.’"
Name: Pat Cummins Age: 21 ODIs: 7
Runs: 22 at 11, strike rate 81.48
Wickets: 12 at 27.41, economy rate 5.98
After a series of long-term injuries and after worked with Cricket Australia’s medical staff to slightly re-model his action, Pat Cummins returned to the Australia ODI line-up in November for the final two matches against South Africa.
The paceman took 2-61 and 3-54 in those two outings, stating afterwards he had his hopes firmly pinned on World Cup selection.
"Bowling towards the death is something I'd like to nail down. The immediate goal is to try and get in that World Cup side," he said.
Name: Xavier Doherty Age: 32 ODIs: 57
Runs: 101 at 14.42, strike rate 55.19
Wickets: 54 at 39.18, economy rate 4.75
A former mainstay of Australia’s ODI side, Doherty was dropped for the recent tri-series in Zimbabwe but gained a recall through injury for the final two games of Australia's three-match ODI sweep of Pakistan in the UAE, taking three wickets.
Doherty was then brought back into the squad for the final three games of November’s ODI series against South Africa, where he played at Manuka Oval but was unable to take a wicket.
Despite limited opportunities, the spinner said in November he remained hopeful of winning a World Cup berth: "I worked on trying to be more attacking with my bowling. The rewards are starting to pay off. I feel like I've been bowling well over the past couple of months."
Name: James Faulkner Age: 24 ODIs: 33
Runs: 670 at 44.66, strike rate 109.29
Wickets: 44 at 32.63, economy rate 5.66
A regular member of the ODI team, Faulkner’s 14 ODIs in 2014 produced solid performances with bat and ball. His best performance with the bat was an unbeaten 69 against England in January and Faulkner amassing 262 runs at 43.67 through the year. With the ball he snared 19 wickets at 33.42.
After originally being excluded from the squad for November’s home ODI series, Faulkner returned for the final two matches in Melbourne and Sydney.
He is gaining a reputation for being an effective finisher during Australian run chases, and showed his flair for that job with a brilliant Super Over helping his Melbourne Stars to a win over the Sydney Sixers in the KFC T20 Big Bash League.
Speaking to cricket.com.au in December, Faulkner said he would be thrilled to play in a home World Cup.
Name: Aaron Finch Age: 28 ODIs: 36
Runs: 1304 at 37.25, strike rate 87.04
Wickets: 2 at 22.5, economy rate 5.19
Finch has cemented his spot at the top of Australia’s one-day order over the last two years. With four one-day centuries and three fifties in 2014, including 109 against South Africa in Canberra in November, Finch is a lock for the World Cup.
His performances in the one-day series saw him achieve a career high ICC ODI ranking, surging 28 places to No.15 after compiling 250 runs at an average of 50.
Finch will have good memories of the MCG and WACA – the venues for Australia’s matches against England and Afghanistan respectively - where he has previously scored centuries.
He was recently appointed Australia's T20 captain when George Bailey stood down from the role.
Name: Brad Haddin Age: 37 ODIs: 113
Runs: 2916 at 31.35, strike rate 81.77
DISMISSALS: 151 catches, 11 stumpings
Brad Haddin looks likely to represent Australia at a second ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015 despite questions over his form throughout 2014.
But the 37-year-old veteran has performed better in ODIs than Tests in 2014, scoring 224 runs in 11 matches at an average of 32. His best knock was 49 from 66 balls against Zimbabwe in August. Haddin, whose form behind the stumps has remained solid, was rested for November’s Carlton Mid ODI series against South Africa.
Prior to the Boxing Day Test, Haddin said he was confident his batting slump would end. "I don't feel in bad touch - I just need to get some runs," he said.
Name: Josh Hazlewood Age: 23 ODIs: 6
Runs: 0 at -, strike rate 0.00
Wickets: 10 at 23.10, economy rate 4.89
The youngest fast bowler ever to represent New South Wales, Hazlewood returned to the one-day line-up in 2014 after two previous one-off appearances in 2010 and 2013.
Playing matches in November’s ODI series, Hazlewood bagged nine wickets, including an impressive 5-31 in Perth, where he would no doubt relish another opportunity to bowl the World Cup.
In October, Hazlewood spoke of his hopes of making the World Cup 15: "To have it in Australia and New Zealand is pretty special and I think every player will be doing everything they can to get a spot in that side."
Name: Mitchell Johnson Age: 33 ODIs: 144
Runs: 917 at 16.37, strike rate 95.82
Wickets: 221 at 25.72, economy rate 4.82
The ICC Cricketer of the Year, Johnson will be crucial to Australia’s World Cup hopes. In 10 ODIs during 2014 the quick picked up 14 wickets at an average of 26.64, including two three-wicket hauls against Pakistan the United Arab Emirates in October.
Johnson, who told cricketworldcup.com he was particularly looking forward to playing at the GABBA and WACA during the tournament, has yet to play in a winning World Cup final.
"I just can't wait to play in another World Cup. Hopefully we can do really well and win in front of our home fans," he said.
Name: Mitchell Marsh Age: 23 ODIs: 12
Runs: 360 at 36, strike rate 89.77
Wickets: 5 at 50.2, economy rate 5.34
Allrounder Marsh returned to the Australia one-day side in August 2014 after excellent performances for Australia A, joining the tour of Zimbabwe where he took three wickets and posted scores of 89 against Zimbabwe and 86 not out from 51 balls against South Africa. Marsh then followed up with scores of 10, 67 and 22 against South Africa in November’s home series.
The allrounder’s summer was thrown into disarray when he injured a hamstring during the second Commonwealth Bank Test in Brisbane, but Bupa Support Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said while Marsh's injured hamstring would keep him out of the Sydney Test, the focus was instead on one-day cricket and the looming World Cup.
In August, Marsh said it would be a dream to represent Australia at the World Cup.
Name: Glenn Maxwell Age: 26 ODIs: 36
Runs: 891 at 29.7, strike rate 120.4
Wickets: 23 at 41.13, economy rate 5.35
Maxwell has experienced his share of ups and downs in recent times. He was Australia's standout performer in the ICC World T20 in Bangladesh before being crowned the Indian Premier League’s most valuable player and then starring in ODIs against Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
Highlights were his 93 against Zimbabwe, a 76 in the second match against Pakistan in the UAE and a double-wicket maiden to seal a 3-0 series whitewash in October, but Maxwell has since experienced a form slump. He played four of the ODIs against South Africa in November for a total of 38 runs and four wickets.
This week, Maxwell told cricket.com.au he had experienced "probably the worst two months of my life".
"It's been a weird season. To go in and out of random formats, and in and out of teams, it's been pretty tough after what's happened with Hughesy," he said, in reference to the Phillip Hugehs tragedy.
Name: Kane Richardson Age: 23 ODIs: 8
Runs: 11 at 11, strike rate 183.33
Wickets: 8 at 37.37, economy rate 4.74
Having remodelled his follow through and impressing in the KFC T20 Big Bash League, the Indian Premier League and for Australia A, Richardson returned to Australia's ODI side for the tour of Zimbabwe in 2014.
From his seven ODI appearances in 2014, Richardson bagged eight wickets at 35.5 and appeared in only one match during November's Carlton Mid One-Day series. A spot in the World Cup 15 could be difficult given Australia's plentiful fast-bowling stocks.
Name: Steve Smith Age: 25 ODIs: 45
Runs: 921 at 31.75, strike rate 87.71
Wickets: 27 at 32.44, economy rate 5.2
There's no doubting Smith's stunning form and he will be a key part of Australia's World Cup plans. From 12 ODI innings in 2014, Smith scored two centuries – 101 off 118 balls against Pakistan and 104 from 112 balls against South Africa – to finish the year with 541 one-day runs.
His 104 in Melbourne against the Proteas was his best ODI score to date and Smith will do doubt be eager to return to the venue during the World Cup.
Several cricket identities including Ryan Harris and Allan Border have lent support to Smith captaining Australia should Michael Clarke be unavailable to play. "There's no doubt I can see him as captain in all forms," Harris said in December.
Name: Mitchell Starc Age: 24 ODIs: 28
Runs: 161 at 32.30, strike rate 87.02
Wickets: 49 at 22.48, economy rate 5.01
Starc failed to find consistency in 2013 and 2014 as he battled a stream of long-term injuries, but the left-arm paceman returned to the Australia one-day line-up in August for the tour of Zimbabwe.
He snagged six wickets from five matches in that series, but Starc’s return was properly heralded in November when he took 4-32 in Canberra against South Africa.
In the same month, Starc insisted there was room for three left-arm quicks in Australia's World Cup squad, saying aggression and wicket-taking were the big assets he brought to the table.
"It's about picking the guys that are right for that team at any given time and making sure that the guys that are on the fringe, or not there, are performing and keeping fit and making sure they are ready to go if called upon," Starc said.
Name: Matthew Wade Age: 27 ODIs: 47
Runs: 909 at 22.72, strike rate 70.51
DISMISSALS: 56 catches, seven stumpings
Wade's position as Australia's back-up keeper of choice was made clear in November 2014 when he found himself back in Australia's ODI team to face South Africa for five matches while Brad Haddin was being rested.
He walked away from the series with one half-century (52 from 59 balls) alongside scores of 35, 19, 8no and 3. He also played a part in 13 dismissals.
His recall came despite a poor Matador Cup, where Wade's only decent knock of 60 off 81 deliveries came in the final match against Western Australia and he finished 37th on the tournament's run tally with 101 at an average of 16.83. But he was equal second on the dismissals tally with nine.
Name: David Warner Age: 28 ODIs: 50
Runs: 1539 at 31.40, strike rate 83.5
Wickets: 4 at 56.75, economy rate 4.54
Warner has formed a good relationship at the top of the order with fellow big hitter Aaron Finch. From 11 ODIs in 2014, Warner scored 406 runs including four fifties and a top score 71 off 70 against England in January.
Combine that with his six 2014 Test tons and you have another in-form Australia batsman who will aim to tear bowlers apart at the World Cup.
Warner's two ODI centuries were scored in Brisbane and Adelaide, while the batsman has also found the SCG a happy hunting ground in the past, scoring five fifties at the ground.
Name: Shane Watson Age: 33 ODIs: 178
Runs: 5421 at 40.75, strike rate 89.81
Wickets: 164 at 30.87, economy rate 4.91
With 165 runs from seven ODI innings in 2014 at an average of 23.57 and a best knock of 82 against South Africa in November, Shane Watson's place in the World Cup squad has been called into question by some in recent times.
In Watson's favour is his experience and versatility as an allrounder. While his workload with the ball has lessened due to injury problems, Watson bowled in six of his seven ODIs in 2014, taking two wickets.
Prior to the Sydney Test against India, Watson said he felt under pressure when he was not producing runs. "I've been working very hard on my game, to be able to put all the pieces together after breaking it down in the off-season," he said. "I do really want to be there to be able to contribute with bat and ball, that's what I think about the most."
Putting Their Hand Up
Outside of those who donned the coloured clothes for Australia in November's ODIs, there are a host of players who have been floated as World Cup squad possibilities.
There are those who have fallen out of the ODI team but remain on the fringes, or those who have bolted out of nowhere to put themselves in World Cup contention.
Name: Ashton Agar Age: 21 ODIs: 0
Runs: --
Wickets: --
Despite having yet to make his ODI debut, Agar has thrown himself into World Cup contention with strong domestic performances this summer.
The spinner's form for the Perth Scorchers in the KFC T20 Big Bash League has been particularly good, taking three wickets at an average of 17.33. As a result, Agar was a surprise recall to the Australian Test squad for the fourth Commonwealth Bank Test in Sydney.
Last month, Ricky Ponting named Agar as one of his World Cup smokies, describing him as "someone who could slot into a World Cup one-day side really nicely".
Name: Sean Abbott Age: 22 ODIs: 1
Runs: 3 at 3, strike rate 42.85
Wickets: 1 at 25, economy rate 5
Abbott's ODI debut and only match to date came against Pakistan in Sharjah in October, but the allrounder has impressed many this summer with his strength and skill.
In December, Aaron Finch praised Abbott, labelling him the complete cricketer. "He's someone with a huge future in international cricket. For someone who can bowl the way he does, he can smack them out of the park and is a world-class fielder," Finch said.
Abbott took 6-14 for New South Wales against Queensland in the Bupa Sheffield Shield in mid-December and was instrumental in helping Sydney Sixers defeat Melbourne Renegades at the SCG on December 20 when he took 2-20.
Name: Ryan Harris Age: 35 ODIs: 21
Runs: 48 at 8, strike rate 100
Wickets: 44 at 18.9, economy rate 4.84
Despite not playing an ODI since February 2012, Harris has made clear his ambitions of playing in the 2015 World Cup.
"A couple of years ago I busted my gut and tried to get back into the one-day team and I tried to hard when I was in there I ended up getting dropped because I tried too hard," Harris told cricket.com.au in September.
"My main goal is the Ashes but I definitely want to play in the World Cup."
Name: Nathan Lyon Age: 27 ODIs: 8
Runs: 12 at 12, strike rate 133.33
Wickets: 11 at 30, economy rate 4.52
Lyon has had relatively few opportunities in the 50-ver game, but there remain those who believe the off-spinner could have a role to play in the World Cup campaign.
In November, Australia coach Darren Lehmann said the door wasn't closed on Lyon making a late run for a World Cup berth.
The spinner returned to the ODI team in August 2014, playing four matches during the tri-series in Zimbabwe, where he picked up seven wickets at 36.14.
He then made two appearances during the Dubai ODI series against Pakistan, but was not included in the squad for November’s ODIs against South Africa.
Name: Cameron White Age: 31 ODIs: 87
Runs: 2037 at 35.12, strike rate 80.48
Wickets: 12 at 29.25, economy rate 6.36
A roughie. White last played an ODI for Australia in 2011 but has put together good domestic scores of late, including 62 from 48 balls for Melbourne Stars against Hobart Hurricanes in BBL|04.
White finished fourth on the run scorers list for the 2014 Matador One-Day Cup, amassing 354 runs in seven matches at an average of 59. He also played all three KFC T20 Internationals against South Africa in November, scoring 41no, 1no and 24.
BBL standouts
The selectors would have no doubt discussed the players performing well in the KFC T20 Big Bash League when they made their final World Cup squad selections.
While some of the best performers so far, such as leading run-scorer and England batsman Michael Lumb, are out of Cup contention for obvious reasons, other up-and-coming players have been making their mark on this year's competition.
Name: Jason Behrendorff Age: 24 TEAM: Perth Scorchers
BBL|04 MATCHES: 4 Runs: 0 at --, strike rate --
Wickets: 8 at 11.88, economy rate 5.94
Strong BBL form for Perth Scorchers has seen Behrendorff endorsed by several greats of the game, including Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting, as a World Cup smokey.
After four matches the 24-year-old had taken a competition-best eight wickets at an average of 11.88, with an impressive economy rate of 5.94.
Name: Cameron Boyce Age: 25 TEAM: Hobart Hurricanes
BBL|04 MATCHES: 4 Runs: 0 at --, strike rate --
Wickets: 6 at 22.33, economy rate 8.38
Boyce had a standout debut season in BBL|03 and has continued the good form in BBL|04. The spinner took 10 wickets in six games last season and bowled several crucial spells, including a man-of-the-match performance in the semi-final win over the Melbourne Stars.
His best performance in BBL|04 to date was 3-40 against Hobart on January 2, helping his status as a World Cup smokey.
In his four T20 internationals for Australia, Boyce has taken six wickets at an average of 13.66 and an economy rate of 4.56.
Name: Tim Ludeman Age: 27 TEAM: Adelaide Strikers
BBL|04 MATCHES:4 Runs: 177 at 59, strike rate 152.59
DISMISSALS: 3 catches, 1 stumping
On January 2, national selector Mark Waugh said Ludeman would come under consideration when the panel picked its World Cup squad.
His comments came after Ludeman gave selectors a timely reminder of his talent when he scored 54 from 33 balls at Adelaide Oval.
It followed 92 from 44 balls in the BBL|04 opener against Melbourne Stars.