In a series of articles, Standard Sport takes a look at the ten teams bidding for glory at the 2019 Cricket World Cup, continuing with defending champions Australia.
World Ranking: 6
World Cup best performance: Winners (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015)
Captain: Aaron Finch
Coach: Justin Langer
Since the last World Cup they have…
Been to hell, but are on their way back. It seems a long, long time ago that the Aussies won the 2015 tournament in the middle of a two-year spell as the number one ranked side in the world.
Starting against New Zealand at the end of 2016, Australia went on a run of six straight ODI series defeats, including 5-0 and 4-1 thumpings at the hands of England. Throw in the small matter of the national disgrace that was sandpapergate, and things got pretty low.
However, the comeback 3-2 win over India this winter was a big step in the right direction, and they have star batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith back from suspension for their role in the ball-tampering scandal just in time.
Strength
The most successful team in World Cup history, Australia know exactly what it takes to lift the trophy, having won it five times.
Four of those victories have come on foreign soil, which is an impressive record given it’s been 27 years since anyone but Australia won a World Cup that they didn’t at least co-host.
Weakness
Having Smith and Warner back probably papers over some weakness in the batting line-up, but the more immediate concern is in their much revered fast-bowling attack.
Jhye Richardson is out, while Josh Hazelwood is being saved for the Ashes, which leaves a huge burden on Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, the latter of whom has had recent injury problems of his own. The feeling will be that whoever plays as third seamer out of Nathan Coulter-Nile and Jason Behrendorff can be got at.
Star man – David Warner
It took Smith a little while to find form upon his return to top-level cricket, but Warner has looked like he’s never been away. The 32-year-old hit 692 runs for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in this spring’s IPL, to finish atop the batting standings with almost 100 runs more than any other player, despite not sticking around for the full complement of games.
Whether opening or batting at three to accommodate both Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja, he will be the prized wicket for opposition attacks.
The expert's verdict - Will Macpherson, cricket correspondent
"Who knows, really? Were awful when they toured England last year but won in India and Pakistan and appear to be over their troubles. David Warner is a more important inclusion than Steve Smith, and they have genuine competition for places with bat and ball.
"Will be contenders because, well, they’re Australia and they know how to win World Cups. There’s a reason they’ve won five of them, including four of the last five, and six of the 2015 winners remain."
Final 15-man squad
Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc, wk), Pat Cummins (vc), Jason Behrendoff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa
