Five burning questions: Aus v UAE

Australia take on the United Arab Emirates at the MCG today in their final warm-up match before the World Cup opener on Saturday against England.

The tournament favourites should be too strong for the UAE, but there are still plenty of questions around form, injury and selection ahead of the 50-over showpiece.

Here are the burning questions facing Michael Clarke's men ahead of today's clash in Melbourne.

How will Pup pull up?

After all the talk, speculation and controversy – and there’s been no shortage of any of it – Michael Clarke returns for Australia some 10 days ahead of his February 21 deadline. The injured skipper, who appears to have almost recovered fully from hamstring surgery in December, will likely only play a portion of this match as he looks to build on his outing for a Cricket Australia XI against Bangladesh last Thursday. That day, he made 34, bowled a couple of overs, and moved reasonably well in the field for 25 overs. While it remains highly unlikely Clarke will play against England on Saturday, this is the 33-year-old’s final opportunity to get some match fitness ahead of the tournament, and all eyes will very much be on him.

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Is Watto locked in?

With Mitch Marsh continuing to look the part, and Glenn Maxwell hitting form, Shane Watson needs runs – and wickets – to continue justifying his place in the side. Neither have come lately. The allrounder has passed 50 just once in his past 10 ODI innings, and taken just two wickets in that period, which stretches back to November 2013. They’re alarming numbers for a man who has the potential to be Australia’s game-breaker, but who also must be under increasingly close scrutiny for his spot – particularly considering the way in which Steve Smith excelled in the No.3 position.

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Pat … or Josh?

Two high-quality New South Wales pacemen. Two young hopefuls for this World Cup tournament. Pat Cummins has bounced back to international cricket impressively after prolonged injury absences, clocking up to 150kph on the radar and doing his World Cup cause no harm with three wickets against India on Sunday. However the 21-year-old has been outshone by his mate Josh Hazlewood, who began the summer with a five-wicket haul against the Proteas at the WACA and has continued to do the business since. The McGrath comparisons come thick and fast with the lanky quick from Bendemeer, and the man they call ‘Pigeon’ has more World Cup wickets than anyone. Something to aspire to, perhaps? Expect more quality from Hazlewood against the UAE as he locks in a starting place for Saturday.

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What’s the best balance?

The James Faulkner injury must be a head-scratcher for the National Selection Panel, given the Tasmanian’s genuine all-round ability. When Faulkner last played – in the tri-series final on February 1 – Shane Watson was out injured. Since, Watson has returned – but will that remain the case? Watson’s presence means Australia need 20 overs from a combination of him, Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell. Is that a gamble? Alternatively, should Cummins – or Xavier Doherty, if the deck is spin friendly – come in to strengthen the bowling line-up? Expect plenty of experimenting today as Australia look to solve what looms as their major dilemma on Cup eve.

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Bailey in the balance

George Bailey made 44 against India on Sunday, but Australia’s top-ranked ODI batsman is desperate for big runs as Michael Clarke’s return creates a logjam in the middle order. After a prolific 2013, Bailey has passed 30 just once in his last 12 ODIs and looms as the man most likely to miss out when Clarke completes his comeback. But the stand-in skipper knows exactly how to change that scenario: runs. For that reason, this warm-up fixture is absolutely critical and he’ll be hoping he can win the toss, have a bat, get to the crease, and settle in. 

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Australia’s World Cup Fixtures

February 14: v England, 2:30pm at the MCG

February 21: v Bangladesh, 1:30pm at the Gabba

February 28: v New Zealand, 2:00pm at Eden Park (NZ)

March 4: v Afghanistan, 2:30pm at the WACA

March 8: v Sri Lanka, 2:30pm at the SCG

March 13: v Scotland, 2:30pm at Blundstone Arena

View the full fixture list here