Nathan Coulter-Nile in his delivery stride © Getty Images
With the return of Steven Smith and David Warner a lot of attention has been given to Australia’s batting ahead of the World Cup while the role of spin has also been heavily discussed. But how are the quick bowlers shaping up ahead of the trip to England?
After a season where he was crowned the Allan Border Medalist, as the men’s player of the year, followed by the tours to India and the UAE, Cummins had some down time ahead of the camp in Brisbane. The early signs are that a few weeks off have not dampened the form. He struck twice in the opening over of the first match against the New Zealand XI – the delivery to take Henry Nicholls’ outside edge was especially eye-catching – as he bagged 3 for 36 in a continuation of the form he showed overseas by taking 17 wickets in his last five ODIs. Could be one of the stars of the World Cup.
Hasn’t played since the second Test against Sri Lanka when he suffered a pectoral muscle injury. Bowled with good pace in the nets in Brisbane but was always unlikely that he would feature in three matches in quick succession. It could be, if the management are feeling cautious, that he only plays once before getting on the plane to England. Has only played three ODIs in the last 15 months due to a mixture of injury and rotation and there will be a few crossed fingers that he can recapture the form that made him the Player of the Tournament at the 2015 World Cup.
From venting some frustrations about selection during the home summer to finding himself in the World Cup squad, it has been an interesting few months for Coulter-Nile. He took 10 wickets in five matches against India and Pakistan after being overlooked for the home series against India, which is when he made a few comments about lack of communication. He showed his all-round value in the opening match against the New Zealand XI with three wickets and a useful 34, although admittedly he was not at his best with the ball early on. His batting certainly bolsters the lower order and could tip the balance when it comes to a starting place in the World Cup.
After plenty of battles with injury, Behrendorff has the chance on the big stage, having only made his ODI debut during the recent home season against India. Likely to be an understudy for Starc at the World Cup, but when on song he is an extremely threatening left-arm quick. Bowled nicely on Monday to collect 3 for 34. He was the only one of Australia’s frontline World Cup quicks to head to the IPL where he played five matches for Mumbai Indians.
It is shaping up as a race against time for him to make the World Cup, following the dislocated shoulder he suffered against Pakistan in the UAE. Although he avoided needing surgery, which would have ruled him out there and then, he has yet to resume bowling with the squad just four days from flying out. Justin Langer hoped for some clarity on his situation this week. It could be that Richardson still travels with the team to the UK via their Gallipoli stopover and a decision will be made closer to the tournament. Squads can be changed freely until May 23, but if Richardson remains injured after he could still be replaced by seeking approval from ICC.
He is the likely replacement for his namesake if the change needs to be made, having been officially confirmed as one of the standby quicks when the squad was named. Kane made a late bid for World Cup consideration with a prolific BBL where he was the leading wicket-taker and although a side injury ruled him out of the India series he played two matches against Pakistan. He has recent experience in England, having been part of the one-day squad which toured last year.
Still being nursed back from the stress fracture, which curtailed his season after the India Test series and ultimately ruled him out of the World Cup squad. He has returned to bowling in the nets although not at full tilt and the Australia A tours still seem his likely return, even though he was bracketed with Kane Richardson as a World Cup reserve. His best chance of appearing in the tournament could be if Australia need a replacement towards the back-end of the group stage.
And a few others…
Sean Abbott and Michael Neser, both in the Australia A one-day squad, have been part of the training camp in Brisbane. Meanwhile, James Pattinson continues to bowl very quickly for Nottinghamshire. He would certainly be an exciting option if pace-bowling reinforcements were needed for the World Cup although all indications are that the priority for him is the Ashes
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo