Fresh off two back to back series wins against India and Pakistan, a rejuvenated Australian side is gunning for their 6th World cup trophy.
The defending champions have been in good form since the turn of the year putting aside their woeful performances of 2017-18 where the won only 7 of their 28 ODI matches.
A line-up to look forward to
At the top of the order is the duo of Usman Khawaja and skipper Aaron Finch. Khawaja has been in terrific form averaging 65.5 in his last 10 innings. His partner Finch has scored two half centuries and two centuries in his last 5 outings. The returning duo of David Warner and Steven Smith have also been in good touch. Warner was the leading run scorer of the recently concluded IPL while Smith has played match winning knocks for his side against New Zealand XI, Windies and England as part of the warm up games leading up to the world cup.
The all-rounder duo of Marcus Stoinnis and Glenn Maxwell come in next. Stoinnis gives the team the option of a fourth choice seamer who can also contribute with the bat. Big hitter Maxwell gives the team part time off spin, making himself available as the sixth choice bowler for the team. The duo will be a vital cog to the Australian engine as they have duties with both the bat and ball in hand. Alex Carrey is the designated wicket keeper for the team and comes in as a finisher at number 7.
Shaun Marsh, who scored 288 runs in 5 games the last time Australia visited the English soil gets a flexible role in the team. Having played in positions 1 to 6 for Australia, he is a good backup in case any of the batsmen of the starting eleven get injured.
Spin twins of off spinner Nathan Lyon and leggie Adam Zampa make up the spin bowling department. The team has 5 front line seamers: Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter Nile, Kane Richardson and Jason Behendorff . Starc, the leading wicket taker of the last edition of the world cup has had injury setbacks but will be hoping to be at his best as the tournament starts. Cummins has turned himself into an impressive bowling all-rounder with impressive performances with bat and ball. Expect both of these seamers to lead the pace attack for the team going in to the world cup while one of the remaining trio of Coulter Nile , Richardson, and Behendorff will slot in as the third choice seamer of the side.
In seaming conditions expect Australia to field 7 batsmen (including all rounders Maxwell and Stoinnis) , 3 front line seamers and a spinner between Zampa and Lyon. Dry pitches, however could see Australia choose both the spinners in favour of one of the seamers. The bowlers’ ability to keep the runs to a minimum will be important as this world cup is all set to be a run feast.The team, coached by Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting and Brad Haddin will be looking forward to the tournament after impressive run of performances leading up to the big event.
A wave of controversy
Australia head coach Justin Langer jumps to defend Steve Smith and David Warner, who both recently completed bans for ball-tampering.
They were subject to audible boos, jeers, and chants of “cheat” by the Ageas Bowl crowd in Southampton during Australia’s warm-up match followed by victory with England. Langer was quick to dismiss such negativity and took to the mainstream media to send a message to fans.
“You (the media) talk about earning respect, and I think it’s really important that people show respect as well,” Langer said ahead of five-time winners Australia’s World Cup opener against Afghanistan in Bristol on Saturday.
The 5 time World champions officially start their tournament on the first of June against Afghanistan at the Bristol County Ground.