Five big questions for Australia's North Queensland ODIs

Australia will begin its first home One Day International series since 2020 on Sunday as they take on Zimbabwe in Townsville. Straight after that three-match series, they will play another against New Zealand in Cairns. With a World Cup just next year, these matches have increased significance as each side looks to hit top form. Here are all the big talking points Can Aaron Finch find form? [caption id="attachment_8785" align="alignnone" width="696"] TOPSHOT - Australia's captain Aaron Finch looks on in the field during the 2019 Cricket World Cup second semi-final between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, central England, on July 11, 2019. (Photo by Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read DIBYANGSHU SARKAR/AFP/Getty Images)[/caption] While the Australian white-ball captain looked better in the recent away T20s against Sri Lanka with two important 40s, he remains firmly out of sorts in ODIs. From eight matches this year he has an average of just 17.88 with only one fifty. At times he has looked completely out of sorts, falling for four ducks including two in the last two games. For so long, Australia has been able to rely on he and David Warner to set the tone at the start of an innings with their aggressive style. We have begun to see that when one or both of them fall early, too much pressure is often placed upon a less aggressive middle order of Smith, Labuschagne and Marsh. There has been some talk that Finch may retire after this year's T20 World Cup, allowing the likes of Travis Head, Ben McDermott or even Josh Phillippe the chance to open. If Finch continues to fail in these two series, that may be the only option. Who will stand up in the middle order? [caption id="attachment_2911" align="alignnone" width="696"] Australia's Steven Smith plays a shot (R) watched on by New Zealand's Luke Ronchi (R) during the Pool A 2015 Cricket World Cup match between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park in Auckland on February 28, 2015. MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP/Getty Images[/caption] Even beyond Finch, Australia's best batting lineup is far from certain. With Mitch Marsh back from injury, they potentially have up to eight players vying for places three to eight in the order. Smith and Labuschagne are the incumbents at three and four, but while Smith made a good fifty before getting injured in the recent Sri Lanka series, Labuschagne fell between 18 and 31 in all five games. Questions have also been asked about whether, considering Smith's strike rate of just 88 and Labuschagne's of only 85, there is a place in the team for both of them. With many countries starting to bat more aggressively throughout the innings in One-Day cricket, many have suggested someone more attacking like Marsh or Head take Labuschagne's place. Traditionally, Australia has preferred to have one or two "glue" type players so as to avoid collapses. If they aren't scoring enough, however, this philosophy may have to be adapted. In the short-term, it's likely that Marsh will bat four against Zimbabwe and Labuschagne get pushed to five, in order to add some variety. With Carey as the keeper, that just leaves one genuine batting position to go to either Maxwell or Stoinis. With Maxwell undroppable, Australia may have to be more unconventional if they feel they need the added firepower of Stoinis. With his bowling abilities, many have suggested they play him in place of Hazlewood and prioritise the extra batting strength. These six games in the top end are the perfect opportunity for all of these players to cement their places in the side and for the selectors to work out the best structure of the team going forward. Can Zimbabwe pull off an upset? [caption id="attachment_25126" align="alignnone" width="696"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 14: Regis Chakabva of Zimbabwe bats during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup match between India and Zimbabwe at Eden Park on March 14, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)[/caption] It might be slipping under the radar, but Zimbabwe is having something of a purple patch. Last month they beat Bangladesh in both ODI and T2O series' while their new superstar, Sikandar Raza, scored 379 runs across both formats. Little was expected of them against India and after losing by ten wickets and five wickets in the first two matches, they seemed a long way off. Yet, they well and truly showed they belonged in the final match, falling just thirteen runs short of India's 289. Raza was the star again with 115, but a new bowler also potentially emerged as the young Brad Evans took 5 wickets. While these performances are hardly earth-shattering, they represent a distinct improvement on the Zimbabwe of the past and Australia must be careful not to underestimate them. A win is surely too much to expect but, in unusual conditions for the Australians, the Raza-led Chevrons could pose a good challenge. What will the pitches be like? Playing in Cairns and Townsville for the first time since the 2003-04 season, the Australians may feel a bit like visitors in their own backyard. How well each side acclimatises to the humid conditions and different types of grounds could play a big part in the results. Interestingly, the one player who has played in Townsville before, Marnus Labuschagne, has suggested it could turn a lot. If the same is true for Cairns, the venue for the NZ series, Kiwi spinners Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner could play a big role. Can the Black Caps stay Number One? [caption id="attachment_7739" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 10: George Worker of New Zealand plays a shot during the Cricket World Cup One Day Practice Match between Australia and New Zealand at Allan Border Field on May 10, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] New Zealand is currently the number one ranked ODI side in the world, but it is partly through good fortune. With second-placed England losing games against India and South Africa, the Kiwis ended up with the highest rating after a 3-0 series win over Ireland. Yet, having only played 19 games to England's 24, this could just be for the short-term. In fact, while the 3-0 Irish win looks good on paper, they were far from dominant. They won by three wickets, one wicket and one run - requiring late-match heroics in each game. Nevertheless, with Boult and Southee back for the Cairns matches, they will be looking to cement their place at the top.

Five big questions for Australia’s North Queensland ODIs

Here is what to look out for in the next six ODIs.

5. Can the Black Caps stay Number One?

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