Australia's 'odd man out' revealed amid slump

Former Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin says Cameron Green may struggle to find his way into Australia's best XI as questions linger around the composition of the squad heading into next month's 50 over World Cup.

Australia was handed its fifth straight ODI loss on Monday morning AEST after centuries from star duo Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer allowed India to post its highest ever one day total against Australia en-route to a 99-run win.

While the tourists were missing several starters in the rain-affected contest, the result was consistent with their recent form after they lost the final three games in a five-match series against South Africa.

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All-rounder Cameron Green has come under the microscope, with his bowling figures of 2-103 the most runs conceded by a bowler in an Australia-India ODI.

Cameron Green was given out run out after he failed to ground his bat in the second ODI against India.

Throw in his paltry 68 runs in his last three innings with the bat, and suddenly the 24-year-old's spot in the starting World Cup XI is uncertain.

"There's been a lot of chopping and changing with roles but I think we need to start getting some clarity on what role we'll play in the World Cup," Haddin told the Willow Talk Cricket Podcast.

"I think Stoinis will bat probably around six or seven and control the back end of the game. Mitch Marsh looks like he'll be up in the top three and Cameron Green at the moment is the odd man out.

"You've got Maxwell coming in and (Green) might not find his way into Australia's best XI.

INDORE, INDIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Cameron Green of Australia celebrates the wicket of KL Rahul (c) of India during game two of the One Day International series between India and Australia at Holkar Cricket Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Indore, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

"He's just trying to find his way. He got a bit of tap with the ball (Sunday) which is a good learning curve for him because these are the conditions he's going to come up against in the World Cup.

"We just haven't quite nailed down a role for Cameron Green but what we've got to remember he is young in his career, he's got time on his side but we need to start finding some answers leading into the World Cup."

The injury-hit Aussies are yet to field their preferred XI for the tournament, with just three games until their World Cup campaign begins.

First choice paceman Mitchell Starc is yet to play a game of cricket since the Ashes while Maxwell is overcoming an ankle injury.

Haddin believes Maxwell should be a major part of Australia's plans.

"The interesting one for me is where you play Glenn Maxwell," he added.

"I think one of the points of difference in this World Cup would be, yes, there's going to be a lot of spin through the middle overs and I know in 2015 we used Glenn Maxwell at number five with a bit of a licence to thrill, to come in and take the game on, play his unorthodox style and what he is there is a match-winner.

"I would be inclined to push him into the middle with Carey and Stoinis behind him to cover those back overs.

"But if I'm honest, I don't know what our best XI is at the moment. That's not sitting on the fence, that's just because we don't know where everyone is injury-wise."

Australia's third ODI will be played in Rajkot on Wednesday.

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