After humiliating England with a resounding 5-0 Ashes whitewash, Australia’s limited-over specialists will look to inflict more pain into England’s fresh wounds in a series of five One Day Internationals.
The rampant nature of the Australian test team means that many of its players, including the likes of Mitchell Johnson and George Bailey, will get a chance in the one-day series.
So who will be the key men set to tackle the challenge of imposing more embarrassment on the touring party?
Aaron Finch
The dazzling opener will slot into the Aussie line up alongside big hitter David Warner. He is a suitable replacement for Chris Rogers, whose slow strike rate would have hindered the amount of Aussie runs scored. Phil Hughes misses out in favour of Finch and the right-hander will want to prove the selectors correct in choosing him. He played four games in England in September but his only important contribution was 45 with the bat. The stage is set.
Shaun Marsh
Son of former Australian international Geoff Marsh this top order batsman will look to attack the touring bowlers from the off. Notably Adam Voges and Cameron White have both missed out from this squad, despite their great recent form, with the selectors evidently choosing a more established player. Having starred in 41 One Day Internationals he’s proved useful, posting an average of 38.20. His career was hindered when an untimely hamstring injury thwarted his chances of playing in the India tour, and with Finch and Warner in fine form, Marsh may enter the fray lower down the order.
Clint McKay
The 30-year-old paceman will hope to build on the 91 wickets he has taken in his one-day career thus far, and looks a stronger candidate for a starting spot in Asutralia’s pace attack. He has played in England, featuring for Yorkshire in 2010, and will be competing with Nathan Coulter-Nile and James Pattinson for a place in the side.
Xavier Doherty
This spinner is well known in limited-overs cricket is a regular in the one day side and will be looking to become a key part in the Australia’s quest for one day domination. Doherty stars for the Hobart Hurricanes in twenty20 cricket and Tasmania in first class.
James Faulkner
A few will recognise the all rounder who took 6 wickets in the Ashes at the Oval in August. The 23-year old averages over 45 with the bat and has already taken 25 wickets making him a commodity amongst the Aussie ranks. Faulkner featured in four of the seven games v India over October and November, most substantially his decisive 116 cemented his credentials in the one-day game. With the squad including a bulk of test players, Faulkner will hope to get the nod ahead of his compatriot Glenn Maxwell.