Questions for Australia: how many allrounders are too many in an ODI XI?
The visitors will use the upcoming three ODIs to find answers for the World Cup in India later this year
Is there place for Marnus Labuschagne in Australia's ODI XI with Steven Smith at No. 3? • Getty Images
How many allrounders?
Last year, Australia experimented with a deep batting order that at times had either Cameron Green or Glenn Maxwell come in at No. 8. Maxwell has put together a terrific run at No. 7, where he averages 48.10 with a strike-rate of 123.33 since 2020. In the early stages if his ODI career, Green has also played valuable innings lower down the order, most notably the match-winning 89 not out against New Zealand. It's a combination that could be on show again in India as the selectors determine whether it will be worth using at the World Cup. Mitchell Marsh (who won't bowl in this series), Marcus Stoinis also fall into the batting-allrounder category while Sean Abbott and Ashton Agar are bowling allrounders. The theory of a deep batting order is that if matches are dominated by the bat, the impact of the extra batting will outweigh what a specialist bowler would bring and provide the power to either set or defend a target.Does Marnus Labuschagne fit in?
Australia's top three will be David Warner, Travis Head and Steven Smith, but after that there might be some room for shuffling, depending on how many allrounders play. Marnus Labuschagne made his ODI debut in India in early 2020 and had a promising start with a century and two fifties in his first six innings. Overall he now averages 32.16 with a strike-rate of 84.54 and there has been the question raised as to whether having him and Smith at No. 3 and 4 is the best fit. The value of having two Test batters in those roles was shown against New Zealand in Cairns last September when the ball was zipping around for Trent Boult and Tim Southee. They added 116 to set up Australia's victory. However, it's unlikely the ball will be doing much zipping at the World Cup. Labuschagne's bowling has also faded.Is there a place for Josh Inglis?
Alex Carey is the incumbent ODI wicketkeeper and has a good record in the format. Against New Zealand last year he and Green added 158 for the sixth wicket to transform a chase from the depths of 44 for 5. However, Josh Inglis - a dynamic, versatile batter solid with the gloves - is nipping at Carey's heels. In the recent Marsh Cup final, he made 138 off 110 balls and his overall List A strike-rate is an impressive 112.97. There's a strong chance he will play a utility role in the World Cup squad, providing both batting and wicketkeeping cover, but there is a case to be made that he is worthy of a place in the starting XI.Can Maxwell be the second spinner?
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Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo