Cricket World Cup: Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh overlooked for Australia squad

THE players who will not wear canary yellow in the 2015 ICC World Cup provides an indication of just how good the final squad is.

Australia's Shaun Marsh in action during the One Day International cricket match between Australia and England at the SCG. Pic Brett Costello

WITH just 15 spots up for grabs in Australia’s ICC World Cup squad, there were always going to be some quality cricketers missing out.

The names who will not wear canary yellow in the 2015 ICC World Cup creates a deep field of injury replacements and an indication of just how good the final squad is.

We look at who didn’t quite make the cut.

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THE BOWLERS

Ryan Harris

The hardest to leave out of the squad according to selector Mark Waugh, but no surprise to player or country given his injury struggles and importance to the Test team. Harris hasn’t played an ODI since 2012 and his selection for the tournament would go against the cotton wool approach to Harris’ bowling that has prolonged his career.

Ryan Harris has played 21 ODIs for Australia.

Nathan Lyon

He might have been the leading wicket taker in the Test series and burst onto the domestic scene playing T20, but Lyon has never been a regular at international level in short-form cricket. He’s played just eight ODIs and never on Australian soil. Selector Rod Marsh hinted Lyon’s economy rate might be an issue due to fielding restrictions.

Gurinder Sandhu

The 21-year-old New South Welshman was the bolter for selection after leading the wicket tally in the Matador Cup. The right-arm fast-medium bowler impressed with his variation and effectiveness with the old and new ball. Sandhu is yet to represent Australia and the selectors opted for experience, but he is one to watch over the next 12 months.

Gurinder Sandhu bowls for NSW in the Matador Cup. Pic Jono Searle.

Sean Abbott

The 22-year-old played his single ODI against Pakistan at the end of last year and featured in the T20 series against South Africa at the start of the summer. His Matador Cup form wasn’t outstanding, but the all-rounder is highly rated among the selectors and has an ally in former World Cup winner Brett Lee.

Nathan Coulter-Nile

The WA quick suffered another hamstring set back during the ODI series against South Africa and is close to resuming with the Perth Scorchers in the BBL. He will be fully fit by the time Australia plays its first World Cup fixture, but would not be available for the upcoming tri-series and was therefore removed from calculations.

Kane Richardson

The South Australian played his most recent ODI in the series against South Africa, claiming 1-49 in Canberra. He also got national opportunities in the T20 series against the Proteas. The 23-year-old has played just eight ODIs and always faced an uphill battle to unseat a young NSW trio that has played regularly for Australia over the last few months.

Cameron Boyce

The 25-year-old starred in the T20 series against South Africa earlier in the Summer, but is yet to make his ODI debut. National selector Rod Marsh said a lack of experience and the ODI fielding restrictions meant Boyce or South Australian Adam Zampa weren’t strongly considered.

Jason Behrendorff

The left-arm pacer has been in stunning form in the Big Bash and was one of the leading wicket takers in the Matador Cup this year. He appears destined to gain national selection sooner rather than later, but he might have left his form spike too late.

Cameron White hits a boundary against India in 2010.

THE BATSMEN

Shaun Marsh

Marsh averaged almost 60 against England last summer, but elbow and hamstring injuries have limited his opportunities since. With 45 ODIs and three centuries next to his name, he is the most credentialed batsman outside the squad and will be the hot favourite to replace Michael Clarke should the Australian captain not recover in time.

Callum Ferguson

The 30-year-old hasn’t played an ODI since 2011 when a serious knee injury put his international career on hold. Ferguson made an impression in his 30 ODIs — averaging more than 40 — but he hasn’t had a taste since. His form in the Matador Cup and Shield this summer was outstanding, but with Clarke, Steve Smith and George Bailey in the middle order there isn’t a spot for a grafter.

Cameron White

The Victorian skipper made the third-most runs in the Matador Cup including two centuries. While he has been given opportunities in the T20 side, he hasn’t pulled on the green or canary in a 50-over game since 2011. Once one of Australia’s very best limited-overs batsmen, White should be in the conversation, but he is not a surprise omission given his lack of opportunities of late.

Usman Khawaja

Khawaja was the leading scorer in the Matador Cup before tearing his ACL on the eve of the Big Bash League season. The elegant top-order player has featured in just three ODIs, but given his strong domestic season, he would have been near the front of the line as a back-up if not for his injury.

Ben Cutting with Mitchell Marsh before the two toured South Africa in 2014. Pic Annette Dew

ALL-ROUNDERS

Ben Cutting

Given the squad already contains four genuine all-rounders, Cutting is deep in the queue, but he has played at ODI and T20 level in the past 12 months. His hitting power with the bat is irresistible, but he can be expensive with the ball and needs to earn his spot as a bowling all-rounder.

WICKETKEEPER

Matthew Wade

Wade took the gloves in the ODI series against South Africa when Brad Haddin was injured and did enough to solidify his position as the No. 2 gloveman in the short formats. With Ben Dunk and Tim Ludeman impressing in the domestic ranks, there are a number of candidates who could step up if required.

Originally published as Cricket World Cup: Ryan Harris, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh overlooked for Australia squad