Cricket World Cup: James Faulkner an automatic selection for Australia

AUSTRALIA can’t fit all four of their World Cup all-rounders in their best XI, but James Faulkner has done enough to be automatically selected.

Australia's James Faulkner celebrates his third wicket by dismissing South Africa's David Wiese caught by Australia's Ben Dunk during the Australia v South Africa T20 International cricket match at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello

AUSTRALIA can’t fit all four of their World Cup all-rounders in their best XI, but James Faulkner has done enough to be considered an automatic selection.

At first glance it’s difficult to balance the merits of Faulkner, Shane Watson, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell.

But selectors only need to ask themselves one question — which man would they bet their life on to bat them to victory in a World Cup final?

The answer is Faulkner.

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He might not always look the part, and he’s yet to score a first-class century, but Faulkner’s match-winning ability in the clutch of an anxious ODI finish is beyond question.

Last week in the BBL, he stood tall to firstly get the Melbourne Stars to a super over against the Sydney Sixers — and then crush them.

Earlier in the summer in a one-dayer against South Africa at the MCG, the Tasmanian smashed an unbeaten 34 off 19 to see Australia home.

And who can forget Faulkner’s incredible 69 off 47 batting at No. 9 against England at the Gabba last summer.

Selectors should have seen enough at that point.

James Faulkner has turned into Australia’s “finisher” in one-day matches. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Faulkner is the new Michael Bevan — with the added bonus of being able to bowl left-arm pace at an average of 32.6.

With the bat, his average of 44.6 is quite astonishing for a man who almost exclusively bats with the tail.

“He’s the guy that’s been put in those tough situations now for a little while so I think he’s got to play,” says World Cup hero, Andy Bichel.

“He’s become the finisher, and given that lower middle order a lot of belief that they can score runs.”

But despite being selected in the ICC one-day team of the year, there is no guarantees about Faulkner’s place in Australia’s best XI.

Inexplicably he was left out of the first half of Australia’s November ODI series against South Africa, with Marsh preferred.

It will take a lot for Marsh not to be selected — he showed how destructive he can be with the blade last year in Zimbabwe when he completely humiliated Proteas superstar Dale Steyn with a six-fest in Harare.

Marsh and Faulkner could be picked in the same XI, but for that to happen Watson or Maxwell would have to miss the cut.

On his day, Watson is one of the most powerful No. 3 batsmen in the world, but if some of his Test form carries over to the 50-over format, the 33-year-old could come under pressure to hold his spot.

Marsh was blooded at No. 3 in Zimbabwe and Steve Smith is also capable of filling the crucial role.

Glenn Maxwell returned to form in the BBL for the Melbourne Stars against the Melbourne Renegades. Picture: Colleen Petch

Maxwell is another star on form watch.

He’s struggled for consistency over the summer, but his blazing 66 in the BBL the other night shows the Big Show might be back on the right path.

Certainly his ability to contribute 5-10 overs of off-spin could be the jewel in the crown for Australia’s first-choice side.

Relying on Maxwell to contribute to the attack allows selectors to unleash three of their fearsome quicks and leave first-choice spinner Xavier Doherty sitting on the bench.

When it comes to the fast bowling stocks, Mitchell Johnson is a walk-up and then young bucks Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins will fight it out for the other two spots.

The sheer speed and terror of Starc and Cummins could see them get the nod, making Australia’s attack a handful with the two new white balls being used from either end.

“Mitchell Starc has got something there,” says Bichel.

“He’s shown pretty good signs in recent times so it’s up to Josh and Patty to fight out for the other spot.”

The other dilemma facing selectors is it’s impossible to fit Michael Clarke, George Bailey and Smith into the same middle-order.

Smith was sidelined from the first one-dayer against South Africa in November, but since then he’s become impossible to leave out.

“You’ve got to fit him there,” says Bichel, who is on the World Cup trophy tour in Canberra.

Even though Bailey will captain the side in the first match of the tournament against England, he may struggle to hold his spot if Clarke proves his fitness.

There’s too many quality all-rounders in the Australian line-up to accommodate both.

Ben Horne’s Best XI for the World Cup: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (C), Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin (WK), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins

Originally published as Cricket World Cup: James Faulkner an automatic selection for Australia