They may have kicked into gear later than selectors would have liked, but a suddenly congested field of top-order batting candidates has set up an intriguing fight for spots for the final four ODIs of Australia’s campaign against Pakistan.
Aaron Finch (116) and Shaun Marsh (91 not out) played match-winning hands in the visitors’ unflustered pursuit in the opening ODI in Sharjah, before Peter Handscomb added the finishing touches with an unbeaten 30.
Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey didn’t get to bat on Friday and will look to fire in the second match of the series on Sunday night.
With David Warner and Steve Smith in line for World Cup returns, Usman Khawaja in top form and the exciting Ashton Turner sitting on the sidelines, the remainder of the series takes on extra significance.
“It’s a huge position to be in, to be able to make those tough calls, rather than having guys you need to fill spots,” Finch said.
“We’ve got guys who are all putting their hands up, which is a real positive.”
In an increasingly high-scoring world of limited-overs cricket, Australian fans waking up to the result on Saturday morning may have deemed a run chase of 281 to be just par for the course.
But it’s precisely the type of target – not to mention the slow, unfamiliar pitch – that has troubled Australia’s struggling 50-over outfit in recent years.
Before their breakthrough recent series win in India, they’d only chased down one total greater than 200 in their previous 11 attempts.
Having now pulled off two of their five biggest-ever ODI chases in Asia in the past two weeks after reeling in 359 against India in Mohali, the Australians would appear to have a wealth of options.
Marsh, Australia’s standout 50-over batter during their barren run of six straight series defeats, returned with a point to prove after being the unfortunate batter to be squeezed out for their series-deciding win over India in Delhi.
“I just tried to be nice and relaxed out there,” the 35-year-old said. “It took me a little while to get used to the wicket but once I sort of got going, I felt a bit better.
“It was hard to start. It was a bit on the slow side, so once you got your rhythm out there it got a little bit easier.
“But it’s a great start to the series for us but it’s only one game – we’re looking forward to Sunday’s game.”
The left-hander shared in a 172-run stand with Finch, who praised Marsh for summing up the conditions so adeptly.
“He played beautifully,” Finch said. “Especially to be not out at the end, to get the job done and really be the man to stand up.
“The tempo he played was great. It wasn’t an innings where he hit the middle of the bat and it was free flowing from the start.
“They’re sometimes the best innings you’ll play as a batsman. When things aren’t going your way, you’re not hitting the middle, you’re hitting the fielders.
“But you get through it … we’ve seen it for the last couple of years now how good he is.”
On Handscomb, Finch added: “It was cool, it was calm … A really classy finish which was nice.”
Qantas Tour of the UAE
First ODI: Australia won by eight wickets
Second ODI: v Pakistan, March 24 in Sharjah
Third ODI: v Pakistan, March 27 in Abu Dhabi
Fourth ODI: v Pakistan, March 29 in Dubai
Fifth ODI: v Pakistan, March 31 in Dubai
(all matches begin at 10pm AEDT)
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