Australia vs India, 2020: 1st ODI, Sydney: Australia Predicted XI

Australia will begin their much-awaited home season with a full-fledged blockbuster series against India. The men in yellow’s summer will get underway with the first of the three ODIs in Sydney on Friday. While Australia’s rank in the One-day arena remains on the slightly lower side, they would be in confidence following their series victory in England in September.

Unlike anticipated ahead of the Test series that the hosts might pick a second-string line-up, all the first-choice players will take the field. There would also be the likes of Moises Henriques and debutant Cameron Green coming into the fray at some stage. Aaron Finch’s men would be keen to kickstart the season ecstatically to build confidence keeping in mind the Test series a month later.

We take a look at Australia’s predicted XI ahead of the first ODI against India:

Aaron Finch (c):

Aaron Finch, who has captained the limited-overs outfit for more than two years now, enjoyed a reasonably good run in ODIs this year. In ten matches, Finch has 424 runs at 47.11 with one century and three fifties. The Victorian, who endured a forgettable run in IPL 2020, would be keen to begin the series on a positive note.

David Warner:

David Warner, whose form in IPL 2020 gradually hit the top gear after a shaky start, has modest statistics in ODIs this year. David Warner has accumulated 313 runs in 10 games at 34.78 with one fifty and a hundred. Nevertheless, the 34-year old is a burgeoning addition for Australia this summer against India, unlike the last time.

Steve Smith:

Steve Smith revealed to have ‘found his hands’ in one of his recent interviews, acknowledging that he is in excellent nick. Steve Smith, who missed the ODI series in England due to concussion, averages a daunting 58 in seven ODIs in 2020. He has accumulated 352 runs this year with one century and a couple of fifties. Smith, who averages 66 at home against India, would be keen to build himself well ahead of the red-ball games.

Marnus Labuschagne:

Marnus Labuschagne made his ODI debut this year and has enjoyed a fruitful career so far. In ten matches, Marnus Labuschagne has 394 runs at 43.78 with a solitary hundred and a couple of half-centuries. The 26-year old would likely be one of the most crucial cogs in the middle-order and has to play responsibly for the power-hitters to come later.

Glenn Maxwell:

Glenn Maxwell secured the man of the series award in Australia’s series victory in England, scoring a vital century and half-century. The focus could be most on the swashbuckling all-rounder, considering his horror run in IPL 2020 for Kings XI Punjab, copping plenty of criticisms. With the format and venue both set to change, Maxwell could spit fire with the bat and the hosts need him to do it.

Marcus Stoinis:

Marcus Stoinis will most likely start the series as the hosts’ primary batting all-rounder. Marcus Stoinis, who batted at number three in the absence of Steve Smith in England, could not perform that role to significant effect. But the all-rounder had an unforgettable IPL 2020, clattering above 350 runs at a strike rate of 148 while also taking 13 wickets. With Delhi Capitals’ head coach Ricky Ponting set to be in Australia’s coaching staff as well, it bodes well for Stoinis.

Alex Carey (wk):

Alex Carey silenced all his critics when he scored his maiden century in the third ODI in England, acing the chase of above 300 to seal the series. Alex Carey endured a horrid run of form leading up to that hundred and the knock cemented his spot in the white-ball outfit in style. With little white-ball cricket under his belt ahead of two challenging series, the keeper-batsman will need to adapt well.

Mitchell Starc:

Mitchell Starc was outstanding with the new ball in England, often striking while also maintaining a stable economy rate to set the tone for Australia. However, the left-arm speedster overall statistics in 2020, does not look that impressive. In nine matches, Starc has 11 scalps at 45.82 with best figures of 3/56. But having skipped IPL 2020, one should expect him to be in excellent rhythm.

Pat Cummins:

Pat Cummins, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2020, had a reasonably good outing. Cummins was the pick of the bowlers in KKR’s final game in the tournament, having taken four wickets. Cummins has claimed 12 wickets in nine matches in 2020 at 39.42, which does not bode that impressive. However, the 26-year old will enjoy the conditions back at home. Cummins also batted well in IPL 2020, which is an added asset for Australia.

Adam Zampa:

Adam Zampa remains the first-choice spinner for Australia in white-ball cricket and has done outstandingly more often than not since debut. Adam Zampa was also the highest wicket-taker from either side in England, bagging ten wickets in three fixtures and bowling economically too. The leggie will have his eye on Virat Kohli, who he has dismissed seven times in ODIs.

Josh Hazlewood:

Josh Hazlewood partnered with Mitchell Starc to take the new ball in the ODI series in England and kept the leash around the hosts. Josh Hazlewood has been the best out of the three frontline bowlers in ODIs this year, snapping ten wickets in seven matches at 31.30 and bowls with precision, swing, and excellent pace. The 28-year old would be hungry to hit his straps early on before the Test matches.

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