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Australia's white-ball spin stocks continue to puzzle

Australia's white-ball spin stocks continue to puzzle and nobody is sure where the team is headed ahead of the 2019 World Cup.

England took a 2-0 lead in the five-match ODI series with a four-wicket win over the hosts at the Gabba on Friday.

Australia made three changes from the first encounter in Melbourne but it was the decision to drop legspinner Adam Zampa for batsman Cameron White that raised eyebrows.

Part-time slow bowlers Aaron Finch and Travis Head proved easy pickings for England in the chase.

The tourists, on the other hand, had fine contributions from their brigade as Adil Rashid (2-71) was expensive but damaging, Moeen Ali (1-31 from seven overs) put the stops on Australia's bright start and Joe Root (2-31 from seven overs) claimed the key wickets of Steve Smith and Head.

Adam Zampa. Pic: Getty
Adam Zampa. Pic: Getty

"That obviously didn't work as well as we would have liked tonight," Smith said after the loss.

"(We are) still trying to find the right balance."

Australian greats Shane Warne and Michael Clarke, as well as former England international Kevin Pietersen, were critical of the call to axe Zampa.

But while the former skipper Clarke believes Zampa "will be disappointed" with being dropped, he wonders whether the 25-year-old features in the best Australian ODI side regardless.

Nathan Lyon. Pic: Getty
Nathan Lyon. Pic: Getty

“These one-day games were so important for him to cement his place in this team," he said.

“(They needed) to have a look at what they want to do for the World Cup. Is it Nathan Lyon, is it Adam Zampa?"

Test spinner Lyon, who last played an ODI in August 2016, is still on the outer but appears to be closing in after producing well in the Big Bash since the end of the Ashes.

The 30-year-old has never been quiet in his bid to play white-ball cricket for Australia.

He took a step towards a return when he was named captain of the Prime Minister's XI to face England in a Twenty20 match on February 2.

"I want to play in every format of the game for Australia and play as much as I can for Australia because the more I play, the better off I am," said Lyon.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge to put my hand up for selection, the ball is in my court.

"If I go out and perform then I'll help the selectors make the decision. It's up to me to play well."

with AAP