'Returning captain should oust George Bailey from first XI'
Sunday 1 February 2015 12:59, UK
Michael Clarke must skipper Australia in the World Cup if they are to stand a chance of winning the trophy, says Shane Warne.
Clarke continued his bid for fitness by scoring 51 as a non-fielding batsman for club side Western Suburbs this weekend, having not played since injuring his hamstring during Australia’s Test series with India in December.
The 33-year-old is thought to be unlikely to figure in the Baggy Greens’ World Cup opener with England but Warne insists that if the right-hander is fit he should slot straight back into the XI.
Speaking after his country’s 112-run win over England in the final of the Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series Final, Warne said: "I don't think Australia can win the World Cup without Clarke.
"Australia were in disarray just over 12 months ago but under his captaincy, they won the Ashes 5-0 and then beat South Africa in South Africa.
Good bowlers can bowl at George Bailey and make him unable to hurt you, so I would say if Clarke is fit he drops out.
"We all admire Clarke’s imagination and flair as a captain so I would get him in for that first game if he proves his fitness and say: 'This is our side, let's get out and play'.
"Good bowlers can bowl at [stand-in skipper] George Bailey and make him unable to hurt you, so I would say if Clarke is fit he drops out, as the rest of the top five - David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson and Steve Smith - picks itself."
Mitchell Johnson returned to form in sparkling style in at The WACA on Sunday, claiming 3-27 in his first competitive bowl of 2015, but the Man of the Series award was handed to Mitchell Starc for his 12 wickets at an average of 16.33
Warne reckons Starc is now nailed on for a spot in Australia’s World Cup line-up due to his ability at both the top and tail of the innings.
"Starc will be key," said Warne. "He has really played well in the one-dayers, making the white ball talk, and his death bowling is pretty good.
"I don't think Australia would like to play three left-armers in [James] Faulkner, Starc and Johnson but with the form at the moment they may have to."
Warne also shares David Lloyd’s view that Australia are favourites to win their fourth World Cup in five attempts - but he did have a piece of advice for teams on how to deal with lethal paceman Johnson: take him on.
"I can't really think of too many weaknesses in Australia side," said Warne, who nation won the 1999, 2003 and 2007 tournaments before losing to eventual champions India in the quarter-finals four years ago.
"If you look down the order, they've got so many match-winners with either bat and ball that can turn a game on its head on any given day."
"But what I would do to Johnson is be aggressive early and not let him dictate terms. That’s not easy to do as he is always on the money and rarely sprays it around but you need to make him think about something."
Watch England face Australia in the World Cup, from 3am on Saturday, February 14 on Sky Sports 2.
