Khawaja and Marsh the final pieces for Langer to fit in World Cup selection puzzle

Coach Justin Langer says picking a final XI for Australia’s opening World Cup match against Afghanistan is the hardest part of his job, but insists that he’s “getting closer” to a decision.

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Australia is “funnelling” its World Cup squad into a best XI as coach Justin Langer declares picking Saturday’s team to play Afghanistan is the hardest part of his job.

Opener David Warner (leg soreness) missed Monday night’s (AEDT) final practice match against Sri Lanka but will travel with Australia to Bristol today and return on Saturday.

Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jason Behrendorff also missed out last night as Sri Lanka won the toss and batted first in Southampton.

Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Alex Carey were the only three Aussies to play all six practice games.

Langer said the inclusions of Steve Smith, David Warner and Mitchell Starc since Australia’s successful tours of India and the UAE had impacted the roles of other key players.

“We’ve said all along we’ve got to work out what’s best for the team,” Langer told the Herald Sun.

Usman Khawaja’s position at the top of the order is under threat from the return of David Warner.

“The discussions we have are Usman (Khawaja) and (Aaron) Finch have batted so well together. In Uzzie’s last 10 games he’s got five 50s and two 100s opening the batting for Australia.

“Finchy’s captain and a great opener and then Davey (Warner) comes back and has been brilliant opening the batting for Australia.

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“And Shaun Marsh, where do you bat him? At No. 3 or No. 4 or at No. 5 and not play an allrounder? His record — he’s averaged 60-odd in the last 12 months in one-day cricket for Australia.

“It’s just so complex.”

Australia’s biggest headaches appear to be which batsman should support Finch, Warner and Smith and which bowler should support Starc, Pat Cummins, and Adam Zampa.

Allrounder Glenn Maxwell and wicket-keeper Alex Carey are also certain selections, leaving seven squad members to fight for three places in the team

Khawaja, Marsh and allrounder Marcus Stoinis are vying for two spots in the batting order’s top five. The vacant bowling slot will be used on one of Nathan Coulter-Nile, Nathan Lyon, Jason Behrendorff or Kane Richardson.

It is understood Warner will replace Khawaja as Finch’s opening partner.

Shaun Marsh has been one of Australia’s best ODI performers over the last two years.

If Marsh replaced an allrounder that would most likely force Stoinis to the bench, although that seems unlikely given his straight hitting power and clever death bowling.

“If you’re trying to work it out, I’ve got coaches around a table in London (last week) and if there’s 10 of them there’s five different point of views,” Langer said.

“Some would say Dave should open, some would say Uzzie should open, some say Shaun should play.

“That’s the job of a selector — it’s so complex. If Uzzie doesn’t open some will say, ‘Oh you should’ve opened with Uzzie’ or the whole world will say, ‘You’ve got to open with Dave Warner’.

“But I’ve also watched a bit of cricket in my time and I also know about opening partnerships and gelling together. It’s not simple.

“We’re getting closer — we have to, we’re playing (this week). We’ve also said the whole time it’s really good to have that adaptability.”