Yet to play his first ODI, but Cameron Boyce thinks he can do the job at the World Cup

Australia will perhaps be the first defenders to go into a World Cup as almost underdogs, given their recent performance and the current ranking in the ODIs (not in top five teams). The Men in Yellow, who have won the title five times, have not won a ODI series since beating Pakistan at home in 2016-17 and were humbled by South Africa and India in their recent home series. The team is awaiting the return of their two big guns – Steve Smith and David Warner – to make a quest to reverse their sinking fortunes.

The squad for the teams participating in the WC will be announced in a few months’ time and this is time when almost all players playing the competitive game fancy a chance of making it to the squad. Leg-spinner Cameron Boyce is no exception either. The 29-year-old Queensland bowler though hasn’t played a 50-over game for Australia but he is hopeful of making it to the Australian squad at the World Cup.

Boyce has played only seven T20Is for Australia

Boyce, who is currently playing for Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League and hit his maiden fifty in T20s in his last game against Sydney Thunder, has played seven T20Is for Australia between 2014 and 2016. He picked up eight wickets in those games at an average of 19 before getting excluded. He has been playing the BBL regularly since then and this season, he has bowled decently.

“The last time I played for Australia, and the games I did play for Australia, I did a really good job. I think my numbers show that. But I feel like I’m bowling even better now than what I was when I was playing for Australia,” Boyce was quoted as saying by Melbourne’s The Herald Sun.

“Realistically, do I think I’m on the radar? Probably not,” Boyce said. “But my numbers in the Big Bash show I could do that job. If I finish the year well, and if the Renegades go to the end, and even win the thing, and I’m bowling well, then you never know. Do I think that I still have what it takes to bowl at that level? Yeah, absolutely I do.”

Australia have been struggling in their spin department with Nathan Lyon, one of their key members, failing to replicate his Test performance in the ODIs. Adam Zampa, the other spinner, has been inconsistent in his appearance for the Kangaroos. Could Boyce be one of Australia’s options?

The defending champions will take on Afghanistan in their first match of the World Cup in Bristol on June 1.

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