Aussies eyeing allrounder impact with World Cup in mind

Australia's emphasis on an "allrounder-heavy" one-day side comes following England's success in the format with the same tactic, says Glenn Maxwell.

Maxwell, speaking after Australia's five-wicket win in the first Dettol ODI against Zimbabwe in Townsville on Sunday, admitted that his side were looking to put their own spin on England's successful structure.

After being the dominant team in one-day cricket for the four years leading into the 2019 ODI World Cup, England eventually lifted the trophy after defeating Australia in the semi-final and tying with New Zealand after a dramatic Super Over.

Their squad included a stack of allrounders including Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and bowlers who could bat like Liam Plunkett and Adil Rashid.

And Maxwell confirmed that the England model is the prototype Australia want to emulate.

"We've seen the success England have had in the one-day format by batting down to 10 and 11," Maxwell told reporters in Townsville.

"And having their bowlers as good options with the bat.

"That's up to us to move that way, or try to mimic it the way we want to go about it.

"In 2015 we probably set the standard of what a one-day side structure looked like and a lot of teams started to copy.

"England are now that benchmark that we're sort of working towards."

Since Australia won the 2015 World Cup, England has the best winning rate in completed ODIs of any nation, winning 68 per cent of their matches.

Australia are much further behind at 52 per cent.

Captain Aaron Finch explained on Saturday that there has been a shift in the Australian thinking with the make-up of their XI.

"We're just going with an allrounder-heavy side," Finch told reporters on Saturday. 

"It's a way of lengthening our batting, and I think it's important we keep trying to juggle the structure of the team around a bit over the next little while.

Of the allrounders who played on Sunday, Cameron Green was the best of the Aussies with the ball, claiming a career-best 5-33 from nine overs.

Mitch Marsh bowled six overs and took 1-22 while Maxwell finished with 0-19 from four overs, and Marcus Stoinis did not bowl.

Looking ahead to the next edition of 50-over showpiece tournament to be held in India, Maxwell said having lots of bowling options could be beneficial on pitches that may not be bowler friendly.

But that doesn't mean Australia will be completely doing away with bowlers who aren't as competent with the bat.

"When you get flat pitches that aren't doing too much, I think having a lot of allrounders is helpful," Maxwell said.

"Because it doesn't really matter what you bowl, it's generally going to travel.

"So as long as you have allrounders who can do a bit of both; chip in here and there, it makes it a bit easier to get through your 50 overs.

"When it's (the pitch) doing a bit, you still want the best bowlers you have available to get those wickets and that's the beauty with Greeny, he's good enough to play any role.

"But it's nice to have your top-end quicks your top spinners up and going when the conditions suit."

Australia have the seam bowling Sean Abbott and left-arm spin of Ashton Agar in reserve as allrounders in the squad to face Zimbabwe and New Zealand, while Marnus Labuschagne is the spare batter after being overlooked for the first ODI and can bowl either leg-spin or gentle mediums.

Game two against Zimbabwe is on Wednesday, from 9.40am on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports.

Men's Dettol ODI Series v Zimbabwe

First ODI: Australia won by five wickets

Wednesday Aug 31: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Saturday Sep 3: Riverway Stadium, Townsville, 9:40am

Australia squad: Aaron Finch, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Zimbabwe squad: Ryan Burl, Regis Chakabva (c), Bradley Evans, Luke Jongwe, Innocent Kaia, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Tony Munyonga, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Victor Nyauchi, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams.

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