Australia has glorious past proven records in World Cup Cricket. They are the only team to win four times and the only to win three in a row – 1999 beating Pakistan, 2003 beating India and 2011 beating Sri Lanka. They also featured in inaugural World Cup final at Lords in 1975 and in 1996 at Lahore against Sri Lanka. In 2015 they are ICC top ranked ODI team. In recent past against South Africa and now in Carlton mid triangular series they are at their dominating best. Australia has all the weapons in the armory to go all the way to MCG for a Penta winning the ICC World Cup 2015.
Australian Squad : Michael Clark , George Bailey, Dave Warner, Shane Watson, Aron Flinch, Glen Maxwell, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Josh Hazlewood, Patrick Cummins, James Faulkner, Michell Marsh, Xavier Doherty and Mitchell Starc.
Captain Michael Clark is still recovering from hamstring surgery. If he fails to meet fitness criteria before Australia’s second pool match against Bangladesh he will be replaced with stand by player and George Bailey will lead the team. The team has seven genuine high quality batsmen and five quicks. Mitchell Marsh, Glen Maxwell and James Faulkner fall in the category of all-rounders. Even Shane Watson is also an effective fast medium bowler.
On Australian wickets Dave Warner and Aaron Flinch can take apart any attack given any opportunity to survive the first few overs. Warner particularly is now in the form of his life .Given any space he can murder any bowling attack very much like Chris Gayle or AB de Villiers. Flinch is relatively sober but nevertheless a genuine belter of cricket ball. Shane Watson at number three is a boundary hitter. If Clark is fit to play he will give solidity to the batting order with his skill, quality and temperament. His experience will at as binder to an explosive batting unit. If he is not fit perhaps Bailey will take his position and with Glen Maxwell and Steve Smith will form the most explosive middle order of the tournament. All three high quality aggressive batsmen and very dynamic in their approach .Bard Haddin will create depth and diversity. In Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner and Mitchell Johnson Australia possess wealth of option in late middle order .All are accomplished batsmen and can make Australian tail wag when required. Glen Maxwell is the X-Factor who can bat at any position whenever team requires. Steve Smith is also in sparkling form. James Falukner is a great finisher like Michael Bevan of the past. Australian batting unit is possibly the best now in ODI. The only weakness I have found in them is a little bit uneasiness against quality left arm spinner.
On pacey-bouncy Australian wicket and seaming New Zealand conditions Australia possesses a lethal bowling attack. Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc are two of the finest fast bowlers and are not lagging behind Dayle Steyn –Morne Morkel – Philander trio. There are few options in Josh Hazlewood, Patrick Cummins. James Faulkner, Shane Watson and Mitchell Marsh are bowling options available to Australian captain. Only spin department appears a bit thin. Xavier Doherty and Glen Maxwell are not the best of their kind. Perhaps Australia could have picked a leg spinner. But quality leg spinner is a rare commodity in Australian domestic cricket. Michael Clark if fit may have to bowl a bit.
Australia at this moment is one of the better fielding sides if not the best. This is where they will make the difference in tight matches. Very often they can come up with a surprise direct throw run outs or spectacular catches at any position. All Australians are great athletes and do not hesitate to dive at any time.
Australia is in Poll A along With New Zealand, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Scotland. It plays five of its six pool “A” games in Australia. The only match against New Zealand is at Auckland. I am not sure whether any of the pool teams can challenge Australia much in the pool games excepting New Zealand at Auckland. Woolen Gaba, Brisbane, Bellireve Oval at Hobart and WACA Perth Wickets will be very difficult for Bangladesh, Scotland and Afghanistan to create any contest. England at MCG and Sri Lanka at SCG have to wait and see how Australia let them play to their strength. Australia as such will have no issues in advancing to quarter finals where the real challenge will come from.
If Australia wins the trophy that will be their fifth in 12 appearance. They will achieve in Cricket what Brazil achieved in Soccer. A great sporting nation is well prepared for it. They have an additional urge in playing for and dedicating the trophy to their mate Hughes the unfortunate victim of a bouncer while playing.
BDST: 0858 HRS, JAN 18, 2015
