Aussies can't axe Marsh: Hughes
Kim Hughes has urged the Australian selectors to stick with Mitch Marsh as they seek the win against Afghanistan today that would help their push towards the World Cup finals.
But the former Australian captain said that No.3 Shane Watson would have to perform at the WACA Ground or risk losing his place before the finals.
The return of all-rounder James Faulkner may require a reshuffle of the Australian team unless he comes back as a direct replacement for injured paceman Pat Cummins.
Hughes, who was in charge during Australia's 1983 World Cup campaign, said Marsh was too valuable as a batsman and bowler to consider dropping him to accommodate Faulkner.
"Faulkner has to play," Hughes said. "His attitude sets him apart, he is just about the most dependable player there and he makes the right choice no matter the situation.
"But they have to stick with Marsh too.
"His hitting power makes him a special player, while he is such a steady and impressive bowler who can bowl to a field and rarely gets taken by the batsmen."
The Australian team will not be finalised until this morning with captain Michael Clarke saying that selection chairman Rod Marsh wanted to see how every player pulled up after an intense training session yesterday.
Clarke confirmed Cummins (side strain) would not be considered but said Steve Smith, who was struck a stinging blow on the left hand while batting in the nets, was not in doubt.
Faulkner batted and bowled without discomfort and is set to regain the place he lost when he broke down with a side strain at the WACA a month ago.
"Smithy got hit on the hand facing a spinner, and he was back in the nets batting, so I think he is fine," Clarke said.
"But I think at this stage Pat is unavailable for selection.
"I don't think those two are the reasons (for not having a team).
"I think Rod is just looking to see how everyone pulls up after a pretty tough training session."
Clarke said Australia's focus was on playing well after two weeks in which their clash with Bangladesh was washed out and they lost a thriller to New Zealand when the middle order batted poorly after a solid start.
"I can't say we've looked too far past tomorrow," he said.
"We've been pretty focused over the last couple of days.
"Like I said after the Auckland game, we (concentrated on) recovering first and foremost and then training with really good discipline in the areas we need to focus on to be able to perform tomorrow."
Hughes said the time was approaching when the selectors would have to consider a change at No.3 unless Watson could return to his best form.
"He is not bowling any more so he has lost that advantage and with the two openers who go so hard, you need a No.3 who can feed them the strike," he said.
"Watson soaks up the strike so he either has to have a significant impact or they have to find someone who can go on."
Hughes predicted that the Afghanistan quicks, three of whom operated at 140km/h or above, would relish bowling at the WACA and although the visitors were unlikely to threaten Australia, they could cause some pain with the new ball.
"Don't be surprised if they nick off one or two of the Australian top order," Hughes said.
·New Zealand's pre-World Cup form and their unbeaten start to the tournament has catapulted them to fifth in the one-day international rankings.
The Black Caps leapfrogged England to sit within one ranking point of fourth-placed Sri Lanka. Australia still lead from India and South Africa. New Zealand have won 12 of their past 14 completed one-day games.
South African skipper AB de Villiers continues to lead the batt-ing list, from compatriot Hashim Amla and Sri Lankan run machine Kumar Sangakkara.
The tournament's top wicket-taker is Black Cap Tim Southee, whose 13 scalps helped propel him 10 places to 12th best bowler behind Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal, who was not picked amid a probe into his bowling action.
Faulkner has to play … But they have to stick with Marsh too."
Kim Hughes
