Australia's Cricket World Cup Team Preview

 Defending champions Australia all set to win their 6th Championship and continue their dominance in the World Cups.

World Cup Champions in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015. Australia undoubtedly is the most successful side in Cricket World Cup history. Always one of the favourites to lift the cup, this time around they are also one of the favourites to lift the coveted trophy. Had somebody asked me the question a year ago if Australia are favourites to lift the cup I would definitely be laughing and surely say that Australia wouldn’t even reach the semi-finals. But, the form they are shown in the last couple of months is extraordinary. They whitewashed Pakistan 5-0 in UAE and beat India 3-2 in India after being down 2-0. With the returns of David Warner and Steve Smith, their side looks even more promising now. Mitchel Starc too is back from injury and the Australian’s will be itching to go out on the field and show the brand of cricket they possess.

Australia’s top order looks very formidable with the likes of captain Aaron Finch, David Warner and Steve Smith. Both Smith and Warner are returning after successful IPL seasons. The former set the stage on fire by making 692 runs in 12 innings. The latter didn’t initially set the stage on fire but played valuable knocks towards the end of the IPL. Australia’s top 4 will comprise of these 3 batsmen and either of Shaun Marsh or Usman Khawaja. It is very likely that Usman will play ahead of Marsh at number 3 and Smith will bat number 4. Part of Australia’s success in UAE and India was the form of Usman and Australia will hope he continues his remarkable form. Number 5 and 6 is a very critical position for Australia and Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are likely to take these positions. These 2 players add a very good balance to this Australian squad and they do not have any replacements for these two. The management will hope these 2 remain injury-prone throughout the tournament. 

At number 7, Alex Carey the wicketkeeper will slot in. Australia will hope he can finish the games similarly to how Hardik Pandya and Andre Russell did in the IPL. The Australian bowling attack looks very formidable with the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Adam Zampa. At number 8 and 9, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are likely to slot in. They too have the ability to tonk the ball around to the boundary if required. At number 10, Adam Zampa will surely play. He may be slightly expensive, but the knack of picking up wickets at regular intervals makes him a certain choice in the 11. Now if the wickets are dry and the ball is turning, then Australia is likely to play Nathan Lyon alongside Zampa. However, if there are pace and bounce in the wicket then either of Jason Behrendorff or Nathan Coulter Nile will play. With such an eleven, Australia is a side to reckon with and every side will be wary of the form they display in the World Cups.


Probable playing xi -

David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey(wk), Pat Cummins(vc), Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa

Interesting Facts about the Australian Cricket Team - 

•  Australia have won their last 11 ODI’s (including warm-up games), after winning only 7 out 28 games before 2019.

• Australia have scored the highest total in World Cup history ( 417-6 against Afghanistan in the 2015 World Cup).

• Australia has the highest win percentage in World Cups (75.30%) and the most World Cup matches won(62).

My prediction - 

• I am backing Australia to make it to the semi finals. But from there on it will be a matter of luck and precision. I am pretty sure Australia will finish 3rd on the Points Table.