Skipper Jake Lehmann says Redbacks are primed for one-day Cup tilt with World Cup guns
South Australia will miss skipper Travis Head but expects its World Cup triumvirate to fire in the Marsh Cup one-day competition.
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Alex Carey’s stunning World Cup exploits have gift-wrapped South Australia’s blueprint for one-day success says skipper Jake Lehmann.
Carey upstaged Indian great MS Dhoni, England’s Jos Buttler and South Africa’s Quinton de Kock to finish keeper-batsman in the team of the tournament with 375 runs at 62.5 and 20 dismissals.
Cool in a crisis or putting the foot down as shown by a 25-ball half-century against India, Carey is an inspiration says Lehmann.
“His leadership has grown and understands the pressure situations after the World Cup where we saw him stand up against Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes. His knowledge of the game has increased and has brought that to all of us,” said Lehmann of Carey.
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Lehmann said Carey was in ‘exceptional’ form with 60 off 50 balls in Wednesday’s trial game against New South Wales on the Sunshine Coast. There’s more Carey magic on the cards in Tuesday’s Marsh Cup opener against Queensland in Brisbane.
“His batting has gone to another level and his play against spin in the middle is exceptional. We are expecting big things,” said Lehmann.
Test vice-captain Travis Head is being rested for the opening games against the Bulls and New South Wales at Allan Border Field. However, Carey, leg-spinner Adam Zampa, spearhead Kane Richardson and aggressive opener Jake Weatherald offer serious firepower says Lehmann.
Richardson took five World Cup wickets at 21 in two starts against Pakistan and Sri Lanka in a watershed tournament for the 28-year-old speedster.
“Richo probably wasn’t expecting to go to the World Cup, did well and was probably unlucky to miss out after the games he played,” said Lehmann of Richardson.
Zampa was usurped by off-spinner Nathan Lyon at the back end of the World Cup but responded with 12 wickets at 28 for Essex in the T20 Blast. The Redbacks could employ Zampa and prodigy Lloyd Pope in a leg-spin tandem on slower wickets like Karen Rolton Oval.
“He went to Essex and was really raring to go again. I definitely see Zampa and Lloyd Pope playing together if the conditions are right. We have seen leg-spin in the short form win you games,” said Lehmann.
Tom Cooper and former Test batsman Callum Ferguson were dropped for the final first-class games of last season but remain SA’s most consistent one-day batsmen notes Lehmann.
“He still has the passion to win. He will be back,” said Lehmann of Ferguson who blasted 328 one-day runs at 54.66 last season.
Middle-order strokeplayer Cooper averages an impressive 41 with 10 tons in 151 list A games.
“Coops doesn’t get the headlines but his white ball form has never really faltered in his career,’ said Lehmann.
The Redbacks have finished runner-up in two of the past four summers and Lehmann is spurred by unfinished business
“We have been there and abouts and just haven’t got over the line,” he said.
Marsh Cup 2019
SA v Qld 24 Sept 24, AB Field
SA v NSW, Sept 26, ABF
SA v Tas, Sept 29, Karen Rolton Oval
SA v Tas, Oct 1, KRO
SA v Qld, Oct 23, The Gabba
SA v WA Nov 17, KRO
SA v Vic Nov 19, KRO