Cricket World Cup 2015: Michael Clarke headlines conundrums facing Australia selectors

AUSTRALIA will finalise its World Cup squad next week and the selectors have plenty of talking to do, with Michael Clarke at the top of the list.

Boxing Day Test Australia v India at MCG, Day 1- Injured captain Michael Clarke has a chat with Ryan Harris and Mitchell JOhnson before the start of play. , Melbourne. 26th December 2014. Picture: Colleen Petch.

AUSTRALIA will finalise its World Cup squad next week and the selectors have plenty of talking to do.

Australia’s 50-over team has seen more experiments than a frothing test tube since the last World Cup to the point where it is difficult to work out who the best 11 players are and certainly the top 15 who will be submitted next week.

The issue of Michael Clarke’s fitness is a delicate one in all ways because the Australian captain will not be able to prove himself under match conditions before the team is due to be submitted to the International Cricket Council late next week.

The selectors are likely to gamble on Clarke in the hope his injured hamstring, which recently required surgery, can go the distance.

Clarke has been watching the Boxing Day Test from the commentary box.

In early World Cups players who entered the tournament with injuries were often unable to be replaced but the rules are more sympathetic for the February-March tournament in Australia and that reduces the chances of Clarke’s selection backfiring.

If Clarke cannot go the distance he would simply be replaced.

The main issue is one of continuity.

As the host nation Australia has enough pressure and potential distractions without having to play musical captains.

A worry for Clarke is that regular plane flights to and from Cup venues could trigger further back and hamstring problems.

Michael Clarke is still recovering from the hamstring injury he sustained in Adelaide. Picture: Simon Cross.

The case for selecting Clarke is strengthened by history which tells us that World Cups are generally won by heavy duty batsmen like Clarke rather than lightweight Flash Harry’s who float around the 50-over scene worldwide.

The likes of Steve Waugh, Javed Miandad, Matt Hayden, Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting all played starring World Cup roles and Australia has few genuine world class batsmen.

So while Clarke’s best days as a 50-over player may be gone he would only have to rev up for one last major tilt at the end of the Cup to pay his way.

Over the last four years Clarke’s number of international one-day appearances have receded by the year — 24, 15, 11 to just six in 2014.

The potentially crucial issue of who should be Clarke’s deputy must also be resolved by the selectors.

George Bailey has led Australia’s one-day side admirably in Clarke’s absence. Picture: Gregg Porteous.

If Clarke misses matches then either Steve Smith or George Bailey will have to be named stand-in captain and the selectors must choose between them for the first time.

Bailey’s cool-headed guidance for the team during Clarke’s absence has won plaudits but there is now a push for Smith to be promoted given his slick work as Australia’s Test captain in Clarke’s absence.

The choice of a spinner is also a difficult one for there is no standout choice.

Glenn Maxwell’s form slump probably won’t cost him his place but it could ensure there are other slow options such as Xavier Doherty included in the squad.

Brad Haddin remains favourite to take the gloves for what is likely to be his swan song on Australian soil before tours of the West Indies and England.

Haddin’s batting form maybe poor but his spectacular catches in the Melbourne Test will remind the panel of his ability to cover ground which, in the 50-over game featuring limited slips cordons, is a precious asset.

Originally published as Cricket World Cup 2015: Michael Clarke headlines conundrums facing Australia selectors