Mission completed, according to Australia head coach Andrew McDonald, on multiple ODI fronts. The team not only defeated Zimbabwe and New Zealand in back-to-back ODI series, but they also did so in the midst of change and innovation.

The key question of who will succeed Aaron Finch as ODI captain is still open, but McDonald claims the two ODI series in north Queensland provided priceless knowledge in front of the 50-over World Cup, which begins in India in 13 months.

While McDonald tinkered with batting and bowling options, Australia defeated Zimbabwe 2-1 in Townsville and New Zealand 3-0 in Cairns. Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, and Marnus Labuschagne all had significant contributions.

“The exposure that we’re giving some players in [Josh] Inglis and Abbott and Green, with [Mitch] Marsh and [Marcus] Stoinis and [Pat] Cummins not in that last side, we’re just creating some depth, We have played some players in different roles.”

McDonald said.

“We have challenged ourselves with the structure of our team as well playing eight batters and trying to get more overs out of our allrounders. We got a lot of information out of the six games up here, in particular three games against New Zealand in difficult conditions. The pleasing factor is the adaptability of our players to work through different conditions and to play in many different ways.”

he said

Up the six ODIs, numerous bowlers and batters turned in significant performances.

Green led Australia to triumph in game one against New Zealand by taking his first ODI five-wicket haul against Zimbabwe and scoring an unbeaten 89 runs.

In the second ODI, Abbott proved a threat to the New Zealand batsmen, capturing two wickets and dismissing four maidens in a five-over span.

A significant partnership was provided by Labuschagne and Smith, whose maiden appearance came in the first game against New Zealand. Smith’s 12th ODI century, which set Australia’s unbeatable total in game three, was the catalyst for the partnership.

The team’s efforts were motivated by the knowledge that Finch would play his final ODI for Australia following their trip to the north. Who will take his position now remains a question.

With Finch continuing to serve as captain through the upcoming T20 World Cup in October and November, McDonald is not in a rush to find a solution.

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“It’s probably the end of the [T20] World Cup really isn’t it? We have got a little bit of time to consider what those options look like. We’ve got the World Cup in front of us so that’s more pressing at this stage than filling the captaincy void.”

he said.