David Warner Rested; Australia Open Door for Shaun Marsh, Cameron White
Shaun Marsh and Cameron White have not played international cricket in more than a year. With focus on World Cup, the two have been brought into the side with a penalized David Warner being rested for ODI against England.
David Warner will get to cool his heels - and temper - in Australia's next ODI against England. The team management has decided to play Shaun Marsh and Cameron White for Friday's match with captain George Bailey out due to an over-rate-related suspension. Steve Smith will lead the side in his stead.
While Bailey was suspended for one match due to a slow over-rate against India on Sunday, Warner was fined 50 per-cent of his match fees for an on-field spat with Rohit Sharma. The opening batsman has been in fine form - hitting 127 and 24 in the tri-nation series so far.
Warner's needless aggression though has left many in despair - including some in the Aussie camp. Even coach Darren Lehmann said that the 28-year-old needs to tone it down and concentrate on maintaining his batting form.
"We've got to make sure we play hard but fair, and don't cross the line," Lehmann had said on Monday. Warner is indeed a hard-working player with numbers to back his case. The reserves though are quite capable as well and Cricket Australia has chosen to bring up two veterans from the bench.
Marsh and White have rich experience in the format even if they aren't regulars in the team like Warner.
Marsh, for instance, featured in the Tests against India and scored two fifties in the three Tests he played. The 31-year-old has also featured in 45 ODIs and averages close to 40. Interestingly, his last ODI was on January 26, 2014 against England and he would be raring to make an impact against the same side once again.
White - like Marsh - would be desperate to showcase his talent, too. The 31-year-old Victorian last played an ODI in 2011. He has since focused on domestic matches and has some credible knocks in the Big Bash League - making him a dangerous prospect. With 11 fifties and two centuries in ODIs against his name, the upcoming match against England provides a chance to him to stake a claim in the World Cup side - in case any chosen player gets injured. (Full Australia squad for World Cup)
Australia have won both their matches in the tri-nation series and are virtually in the finals. The focus of the team though is on the World Cup - a possible reason why Marsh and White may have been recalled. Will they shrug off any possible rust to showcase their talent? Or will Warner - a certainty in the side - continue to play his fiery brand of cricket without a care for cricketing sensibilities? Time and batting tenacity will tell.