Finch ponders new ball surprise

Australia could take a leaf out of South Africa's book after their bold decision to throw leg-spinner Imran Tahir the brand-new ball for the first over of the World Cup paid off on Thursday.

The Proteas might have lost to favourites England, but the surprising call to bowl Tahir first up – a move that brought the wicket of Jonny Bairstow for a golden duck on the second ball of the tournament – won plaudits.

Bowling their own wrist-spinner Adam Zampa in the initial Power Play is a tactic Australia captain Aaron Finch has already experimented with and could become a go-to strategy when conditions suit and favourable match-ups present themselves.

Zampa bowled in the sixth over of Australia's warm-up game against England in Southampton on Saturday, while off-spinner Glenn Maxwell was brought on in the 11th over two days later against Sri Lanka in another practice match.

While Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins remain Australia's most likeliest new-ball pairing, the revelation that England is in fact the country that has produced the least amount of swing in ODI cricket over the past two decades could have captains looking at alternative options in the pursuit of early wickets.

Asked if Zampa could play a role with the new ball at the World Cup proper, Finch said: "Absolutely. 

"We've got a lot of great options. If there’s two lefties in we’ve got Maxi and some great new-ball (fast) bowlers.

"But Zamps, he’s done it in the Big Bash quite a bit and T20s, he hasn’t done it for Australia as much but he did a great job the other day.

"He bowls stump to stump which is a huge advantage for a leg spinner. 

"Tahir was great first up today as well. It took me by surprise watching it."

Australia's first opponents on Saturday, Afghanistan, are likely to introduce spin early on as well, with the trio of Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman all comfortable bowling with the shiny white ball. 

Aussie coach Justin Langer expects the Tahir experiment to have a significant effect on how teams try to slow England down.

That's despite the world No.1 ranked ODI side recovered from being 1-1 after two balls to post 8-311 and seal a comfortable 104-run victory over South Africa.

"That wicket (Tahir’s), you watch, that is going to be trend, everyone is going to start bowling spin to England first up," said Langer.

Australia were yet to make a call on the precise make-up of their bowling attack for Saturday, though Zampa, along with Starc and Cummins, all appear certainties for the first match.

Pace was Australia's strong suit at the last World Cup in 2015 but Langer doesn't expect Afghanistan to be particularly susceptible to pure speed despite their lack of experience playing against major nations.

"If it was in Australia, we might … but not on these wickets," Langer said when asked if his side could adopt an all-out pace approach. 

"We are realistic. We have got guys with some good air speed – Starc, Cummins, Coulter-Nile – they have got a bit of height about them. They might get some bounce but our tactic will be the same. 

"Regardless of who you are playing, there will be pretty similar game plans."

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

May 22: (warm-up) Australia beat West Indies by seven wickets

May 25: (warm-up) Australia beat England by 12 runs

May 27: (warm-up) Australia beat Sri Lanka by five wickets

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE