6 players who have a point to prove in the upcoming tri-series

After a hard-fought four-match Test series between Australia and India which saw the hosts emerge 2-0 winners, both the sides are getting ready for the Carlton Mid One-Day International (ODI) tri-series which includes England as the third side. This series will help the teams finalise the remaining one or two spots up for grabs going into the World Cup. With many players fighting for form and opportunities, there is a lot to look forward to during the tri-series which begins on January 16 and ends on February 1.Let us have a look at 6 players who have a point to prove in the series:

#6 Chris Woakes, England

During England’s tour of Sri Lanka recently, both James Anderson and Stuart Broad were rested, and the pace attack comprised of Chris Woakes in the company of Steven Finn and Chris Jordan/Harry Gurney. With Anderson and Broad now returning to lead England’s pace attack, the third slot is still to be finalised for England.

In their practice match against ACT Invitational XI yesterday, Anderson and Broad bowled 7 overs each and the remaining three quicks bowled 4 overs each which is well indicative of the fact that the third slot is still undecided. Woakes emerged as the highest wicket-taker during the tour of Sri Lanka with 14 wickets under his belt; this perhaps puts Woakes as the front runner for that spot.

Woakes, in fact, has past experience of playing in Australia, having made his ODI debut Down Under in 2011. He fared pretty well too, picking up 6 for 45 from 10 overs in just his 2nd ODI at Brisbane. England will hope for Woakes to come good in the tri-series and finalise their pace attack as quickly as possible. If Woakes doesn’t grab hold of his opportunities, either Steven Finn or Chris Jordan is likely to be the beneficiary.

#5 James Taylor, England

James Taylor, diminutive in appearance, made his ODI debut back in 2011 against Ireland when many regulars were rested. Taylor couldn’t impress much with his performance in that inconsequential ODI and had to wait a long time to play his next ODI.

During England’s recent ODI tour of Sri Lanka, Cook had to serve a ban for one match owing to England’s poor over-rate in the 3rd ODI. This gave a chance to the young Taylor who was ready to grab the opportunity with both hands; he scored a brilliant 90, but Kumar Sangakkara overshadowed his innings courtesy of a match-winning 86. Even though Taylor’s innings was in a lost cause, it made him a regular member of the side for the remaining ODIs and he did pretty well to hold onto his spot.

After Cook’s sacking, Taylor looks well set to bat at No.3 for England in both upcoming the tri-series and the World Cup. For this new-looking England batting order to click, the 25-year-old will be a vital cog in the wheel and this tri-series will give us a good idea of how he will live up to that responsibility.

#4 Josh Hazlewood, Australia

Josh Hazlewood made his ODI debut for Australia against England way back in 2010 but couldn’t sustain his place in the side due to injuries. He has now been drafted back into the national squad, and with impressive performances in the recently concluded Test series, Hazlewood’s confidence will be sky high going into the ODIs.

Hazlewood has already been compared to the great Glenn McGrath for his consistent lines and lengths, backed up by McGrath himself generously praising the bowler during the recent series. The Australian quick also had a good outing against South Africa in the ODIs in November; he picked up a 5-wicket haul in the second ODI at Perth.

With only 6 ODIs under his belt, however, Hazlewood looks too raw to make it to Australia’s playing XI, although his recent performances have suggested otherwise. Hazlewood might possibly be given a chance in the upcoming tri-series, and if the Australian quick extends his good run in the tournament, he might well be accompanying pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson in the World Cup.

#3 Shikhar Dhawan, India

Having been dropped from the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Shikhar Dhawan's confidence might have taken a beating, but he has to erase all those memories and be back to his aggressive best in the upcoming tri-series. The dashing opener has had a technical issue when it comes to batting overseas, and he has to sort it out soon enough and come good if he wishes to play an integral part in India’s World Cup campaign.

Murali Vijay, who was brilliant with his technique and temperament in the Test series, was expected to make it to the final fifteen but, unfortunately, wasn't included. Ajinkya Rahane, meanwhile, has shown that he can come good at the top of the order in both home and overseas conditions, and could be asked to open in the World Cup if the left-hander fails to click in the tri-series. India would ideally want Dhawan to perform in order to maintain that left-right opening combination and avoid making last minute changes.

#2 Glenn Maxwell, Australia

Glenn Maxwell has been in and out of Australia's Test squad recently, but has been a regular member of their ODI squad over the last couple of years. The all-rounder, however, had a poor series against South Africa, averaging only 11.50, and has also been struggling for form in the ongoing Big Bash League.

Maxwell's ability to win matches for Australia almost single-handedly, though, has prompted Australia to persist with him despite his poor form and the dashing all-rounder should make use of that opportunity if he is to be in Australia’s strongest XI for the marquee event. Maxwell's inclusion will give Australia the option of leaving out the specialist spinner in Xavier Doherty and, instead, going in with four frontline quicks on seaming pitches for the World Cup. Time is running out for Maxwell, and this tri-series is probably going to decide where he stands in his country’s World Cup plans.

#1 Akshar Patel, India

Having came into the national squad on the back of some eye-catching T20 performances in the IPL and decent performances in the domestic circuit, Akshar Patel has done well to be in the limelight for some time now at the international stage.

Having filled the slot of the all-rounder in India’s ODI line-up against Sri Lanka in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, Patel impressed with his performances picking up a total of 11 wickets and emerging as the highest wicket-taker in the series. The Gujarat left-arm spinner is also known for his economy which stands at 4.49 now. The left-arm spinner is pretty effective with the bat, too, but hasn’t yet got an opportunity to showcase his batting talent.

With Jadeja still not fully recovered from his injury, India might go into the tri-series with Patel in the side, but one has to wait and see if he can sustain that spot for the World Cup. The chances seem less, as of now, with MS Dhoni coming back as captain after Virat Kohli’s short stint as ODI captain.

Patel, however, will be encouraged by the backing of former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who voiced that the all-rounder will be effective in Australian conditions and is capable of coming good in the next few months given the chance.