Victorian's versatility on show in T20 win
White's World Cup dream still alive
If Australia's selectors are looking for flexibility in their ICC Cricket World Cup squad, they need look no further than Cameron White.
The former Victoria captain guided Australia to a tense two-wicket win over South Africa under extreme pressure last night, scoring 41 not out from 31 balls coming in at No.6, when only two games earlier he was facing the new ball opening the batting.
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White spent the past summer at the top of the order for Melbourne Stars in the KFC T20 Big Bash League, and it's the confidence gained from opening the innings in the game's shortest format that's put him in contention as the back-up batsman for Australia's World Cup squad.
"Over the last 12 months (I've) opened the batting in T20 a bit," White said following Sunday's win at Sydney's Stadium Australia.
"Now I do have that flexibility to bat wherever I'm needed. Given the chance to open the batting simply means I can bat wherever required."
Whether it be facing two new Kookaburras or being seconded in the middle-order, White says he can take whatever's thrown at him.
"I enjoy batting at the top of the order. It’s not unfamiliar to me," he said.
"I've played three-quarters of my T20 and one-day career batting in the middle-order, those four, five, six spots.
"It’s not something I'm not used to or can’t handle."
And while the 31-year-old is confident he could do the job for his country if called upon, he is under no illusion how difficult it is to break into Australia's ODI team.
The outfit that swept the Pakistan 3-0 in the UAE last month didn’t feature captain Michael Clarke, allrounder Shane Watson and injured batsman Shaun Marsh, with the first two considered certainties for cricket's showpiece tournament, while Marsh scored a century in his second first-class match back from injury, against Queensland in Perth.
With those names out of the UAE series, younger players grabbed their opportunity with both hands, including Marsh's younger brother Mitch, who starred in the triangular series in Zimbabwe and again in the UAE, as well as man of the series against Pakistan, Steve Smith.
"There’s some really good players in there, but I’m no different to any other bloke that was playing Matador Cup or is now playing Sheffield Shield.
"(You have) just got to keep making as many runs as you can, be in form when the squad's picked and hopefully I’m a chance."
The Matador One-Day Cup player of the tournament has the backing of his Victoria teammate and T20 international skipper Aaron Finch, who says if given the opportunity, White would not look out of place back in the green and gold.
"I think his record for Australia speaks for itself," Finch said of White’s credentials as a World Cup contender.
"When you look at that it’s been pretty outstanding for a long time, I think about a hundred one-day games.
"The side at the moment there’s some quality players in there. I think it takes a bit of luck at times to find an opening in the team.
"When you look at the middle order you’ve got (George) Bailey, Clarke, (Glenn) Maxwell, Smith, Mitch Marsh and a keeper all to fit into three or four spots it is tough.
"But in saying that, he’s been in great touch in all forms of cricket for about two-and-a-half years now, so there’s no reason why he wouldn’t be the next guy picked if something was to happen.
"And I’m sure if he did come in and fill a spot there he’d do an amazing job."