Heat on Smith, Maxwell as shake-up considered
Birmingham: Australia will look to extract more from Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell in what could be a reshaped batting order come Thursday's World Cup semi-final against England.
The form of Smith and, to a greater degree, Maxwell and his inability to handle the short ball have become a problem, for too much has been left to too few in recent matches.
The tournament-ending injury to Usman Khawaja, which also has his Ashes spot in next month's first Test in doubt, could see Smith elevated to No. 3 and Peter Handscomb drafted in at No. 4, where he has had success.
Disregarding his century against England in the World Cup warm-up match, Smith had three half-centuries in his first five innings through the tournament but since his 73 against Sri Lanka he has scores of one (against Bangladesh), 38 (England), five (New Zealand) and seven (South Africa), at a time David Warner – who also spent a year suspended from the international arena – has been flourishing.
The raw statistics don't tell a clear tale, though. Smith came in at No. 6 and fell lbw against Bangladesh in the hunt for quick runs on a day Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis had been promoted ahead of him. He was then caught at long on in the 46th over against England, again chasing quick runs.
However, there have been opportunities for a big score. He was spectacularly caught by Martin Guptill at leg gully against the Black Caps and was pinned on the crease having jumped across his stumps in the seventh over against the Proteas on Sunday.
Should Smith and Handscomb complete the top order, that could see Maxwell, Alex Carey and potentially Mitch Marsh fill positions five to seven, although in what order is debatable. Marsh has been drafted in as cover for Stoinis but a final decision on whether he officially joins the squad has yet to be made.
Maxwell has been the quickest starter of any batsman in the tournament – he strikes at 195.45 in his first 15 deliveries – but has only 155 runs at 22.14 in nine innings and was again dismissed by a short ball against South Africa, mistiming a hook shot.
Four times in nine innings here Maxwell has had his stay terminated care of the short ball. He mistimed a hook shot against West Indies saluter Sheldon Collins and was caught behind before he had scored, was caught behind attempting to glide a bouncer from Mark Wood to third man against England when on 12, and in the next match mistimed a pull shot off New Zealand quick James Neesham and was caught and bowled for one.
Pakistan had paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi go at him and knocked over his stumps on 20, highlighting his weakness against pure pace.
One theory is that Carey, with 329 runs at 68.5 in eight innings and having posted a career high 85 off 69 balls against the Proteas, should be elevated to No. 5, with Maxwell at No. 6, where he would have the freedom to play as more of a Twenty20 thrasher style, should the conditions suit.
Coach Justin Langer said promoting Carey from No. 7 was an option.
"He's batting beautifully, isn't he? We've maintained this, we've got so many options, and that's the positive thing," he said.
"Whether it's Steve Smith batting at No. 3, whether it's Alex Carey coming up, we've got so many options – a very adaptable team. The way he's playing is exciting, not just for now but for a very long career ahead."
Matthew Wade, 31, and Marsh, 27, have linked with the side in form and are ready to handle the unexpected pressure of being in a World Cup knockout final, should they be needed.
Wade shapes as a reserve batsman but that could change depending on conditions and match-ups.
He has played 94 one-day internationals as a batsman-wicketkeeper, making 1777 runs at 25.75, with one century. His last ODI was against India in Nagpur in 2017. He had been in superb touch through the Australia A one-day series against English county sides, smacking 117, 155, 41 and 42.
This on top of an outstanding summer at home where he at times played as a specialist batsman for Tasmania, finishing as the second leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield.
In 53 one-day internationals, Marsh has 1428 runs at 35.7, with one century, and 44 wickets at 35.54. His last ODI was against England in Perth in January last year.
He was undefeated through four Australia A innings, making 40, 29, 53 and 4, while also claiming five wickets.
Khawaja maintained a positive attitude at the team hotel upon scans confirming he had strained a hamstring. His immediate aim will be to regain fitness ahead of the Ashes opener at Edgbaston on August 1.
"Hopefully, he'll be right. It's on the best part of a strain as you can get. It's nothing to do with his tendon, it's as good a strain as you can get basically," Langer said.
"Conservatively, it'll be three or four weeks, and with all the help and the rehab he'll get, hopefully, he'll be right for the practice game [in Hampshire] or certainly the first Test."