Training session hints at playing XI

Four days out from the opening Gillette ODI Series clash against South Africa, Australia's first training run on home soil may have offered a few clues to the possible XI that will take the field in Perth.

Australia's 14-man squad and giant quick Billy Stanlake were put through their paces at the WACA Ground on Thursday, both in the nets and out in the middle in a centre-wicket match scenario hit-out.

It was on the WACA wicket square where the first indication of how Australia's batting order might come together.

Opening the batting was new ODI skipper Aaron Finch and left-hander Travis Head. The 'train as you play' mentality was in full swing and when Head nicked off early to Josh Hazlewood the South Australian made way for Shaun Marsh at first-drop.

Unfortunately for Marsh, his stay was brief too, dismissed by Hazlewood and a super catch by wicketkeeper Alex Carey diving to his left in front of first slip.

Marsh's wicket brought Chris Lynn to the crease, the hard-hitting Queenslander that looked the most comfortable against the pace of Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

Determined to give practice the authenticity of a proper game, Langer reluctantly gave Finch out leg before wicket to Cummins in his role as standing umpire.

Glenn Maxwell was in to bat next as Hazlewood and Cummins made way for Billy Stanlake and Nathan Coulter-Nile. Perth-native Marcus Stoinis came in at No.6, rounding out a top six of Finch, Head, Marsh, Lynn and Maxwell.

Compare that top six to the one Australia fielded in their most recent ODI, against England in Manchester, and four names feature in both batting orders.

Finch and Head opened the batting at Old Trafford, while Stoinis batted at first-drop and Marsh at No.4. At No.5 was Carey and below him was then captain Tim Paine, who has since been dropped. At No.7 was D'Arcy Short, the other batsman in Australia's current squad for the three matches against the Proteas.

Short spent time in the middle after a prolonged net session, and while it's perhaps too early to tell which way the national selectors are leaning, it's worth noting the batting order that was assembled on Thursday.

As for the bowlers, it's looking likely Hazlewood and Cummins will play on Sunday having been managed back to full fitness through Second XI cricket.

Who will partner the Blues duo in the fast-bowling ranks is a difficult question. Mitchell Starc is still nursing a hamstring issue he picked up in the second Test in the UAE and was consigned to some sprint work, a hit with the bat and bowling lightly off a dozen paces yesterday.

The Australians would be wanting to start the series with a full-strength attack, but should Starc not be fit, waiting in the wings is Coulter-Nile.

Coulter-Nile hasn't represented his country at home since November 2014, an ODI against South Africa in Melbourne. In the past four years he been in and out of Australia's limited-overs side due to injury, but now he's injury free the 31-year-old is primed for a return.

Another option is possibly taking four fast bowlers into the match at Perth Stadium.

The drop-in wicket at the colosseum-like venue presents an unfamiliarity to the hosts, but in its short history has provided pace and bounce to the seamers.

Should the Australians believe that to be the case again come Sunday, the selectors could go with a quartet of quicks and play Stanlake if Starc needs more time.

That could pose over rate problems for skipper Finch, who would hope to squeeze a handful of rapid overs out of part-timers Head and Maxwell.

Leaving out left-arm spinner Ashton Agar could weaken the lower order, while leg-spinner Adam Zampa was one of Australia’s best bowlers in the UAE T20I series against Pakistan.

The Australians train at Perth Stadium today and will get their first look at the pitch and start deliberating the playing side for Sunday.

Australia v Proteas, Gillette ODI series, November 2018

First ODI: Perth Stadium, November 4

Second ODI: Adelaide Oval, November 9

Third ODI: Blundstone Arena, Hobart, November 11

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, D'Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn.