Australia: predators preparing to pounce while playing possum - ICC World Cup

Australia: predators preparing to pounce while playing possum – ICC World Cup

Is Australia just playing dumb all this time? Have they been leading the cricketing world astray by making it seem like they aren’t genuine contenders for the World Cup trophy? Recall that in 2007, only weeks before the event, they were swept by New Zealand in a three-match series, before going on to win their third straight title in the Caribbean without dropping a single game.

If you believed the countless social media posts that claimed the Australians had deliberately flown under the radar after the second ODI against India in Indore last week, you might have come to that conclusion. Australia had just suffered its sixth consecutive defeat, and each one had been more devastating numerically.

To put things in perspective, Australia’s bowling assault that would go on to win them the World Cup had previously lost the legendary Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in early 2007. The starting eleven that will face India in their tournament opener at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on October 8 will be vastly different from the eleven that has been used for the past month or so owing to injuries and workload.

However, fans who aren’t from Australia have every right to be skeptical of these findings before a major event. When it comes to bringing home the bacon in the cricket world, Australia is unrivaled. It’s hardly surprising that the Australian national team considers nothing less than a World Cup victory to be a satisfactory outcome. It’s no surprise that they have more victories than any other squad.

Even though they were among the first teams to qualify for the semi-finals four years ago in England, Aaron Finch’s squad had a largely forgettable campaign. Particularly reliable were David Warner and Finch, as well as Alex Carey; with the ball, Mitchell Starc delivered another World Cup masterpiece.

Not having the ‘team to beat’ reputation that usually surrounds Australian teams in international competitions was a problem. Even though Pat Cummins is leading the Australian one-day cricket team into a new era, nine of the original 15 players from the 2019 England tour will be present in India. That suggests the team as a whole won’t be terribly shaken up by new faces. However, the Australians have had great success in the past when they stuck with what they knew would work.

Naturally, this World Cup is taking place at a pivotal juncture in the history and development of the One-Day International format of cricket. The worldwide trend of waning interest is seen in Australia as well. In line with the worldwide trend, the region previously considered to be the most fruitful for 50-over cricket has turned.

Now, ODIs are scheduled because they have to be, with no buzz or enthusiasm, whereas for decades the popular tri-series on Channel 9 (around the best time of the year in January and February) was typically the main event of the Australian cricket summer.

The three-game series that began in Adelaide, Australia, last year was a perfect example of this since it included the defending T20 World Cup champion English team.

This is hardly to suggest that Australia’s sixth World Cup victory would magically revive the popularity of one-day internationals in Australia. However, failure to do so will only serve to exacerbate the declining interest in 50-over cricket.

SQUAD

Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith (vc), Alex Carey (wk), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott

Probable XI

David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Cameron Green/Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

The Australians’ misfortune was compounded by the fact that they had sought to construct the remainder of their batting lineup around South Australian Travis Head’s aggressive opening position. The fact that they are willing to risk not having him available for the first few weeks speaks volumes about his importance to the team.

Since Steve Smith prefers to bat third, it’s likely that Mitchell Marsh will take up the Head position with Warner. Marnus Labuschagne, who is currently in his finest ODI form, and Cameron Green, who, given his all-round ability, would seem to be a sure starter, would be the players up for consideration. The bowling attack should seem familiar with three world-class pacers and Adam Zampa, with Glenn Maxwell filling in as the second “specialist spinner,” as stated by chief selector George Bailey. In addition, Sean Abbott’s involvement is anticipated.

Keep an eye on: Mitchell Marsh

The Mitchell Marsh saga has struck a potential new phase of stability, after several false beginnings and countless displays of extraordinary brilliance. While he has been crucial to Australia’s white-ball system over the past several years, he has taken a major step forward this year with his play in the Ashes and his promotion to captain.

His immense worth to this club is bolstered by the fact that he can bowl right from the first game. It stands to reason that Australia will need Mitch Marsh to make a breakout performance in 2019 World Cup, just as he did in the T20 World Cup in 2021.

Marquee Match: versus England at Ahmedabad on November 4

Not only because they’re the two teams involved. The conclusion of the Ashes is not the only reason. Thankfully, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will not allow any alcohol to be consumed by either team before to the game. But the fact that England completely dominated Australia in the semi-final of the World Cup four years ago at Edgbaston will give them an extra edge in this long-standing rivalry.

Banana Peel Fixture: versus Sri Lanka at Lucknow on October 16

It will be Australia’s third game of the tournament, and it comes after they’ve faced two opponents they’ve already gotten to know over the past month. The Sri Lankans gave the Australians a tough time at home last year, and they’ll be a tough opponent for Cummins and company in circumstances where their crafty spinners may make an impact. While the Australian fast bowlers thrived on the slower wickets, Sri Lankan batsmen like Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, and Charith Asalanka benefited from the added speed.