Australia are the defending champions at the 2019 World Cup. But you wouldn’t have remembered that during a tumultuous 2018.
The infamous ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in early 2018 resulted in year-long suspensions of star batsmen and leaders Steve Smith and David Warner. Those suspensions fell right in the middle of a horror run for the Aussies. Since the start of 2017 to the end of last year, Australia won just seven and lost 19 ODIs. The record fell to two wins and 11 defeats in 2018 even with Smith and Warner in a bunch of those games.
Aaron Finch was tasked with keeping the broken team together in the absence of two batsmen and with pace spearheads Mitchel Starc and Pat Cummins available intermittently.
But through this mess, the Aussies have risen again. In 2019, captain Finch regained his touch as he led the underdog Aussies to a famous 3-2 series win in India in the company of a resurgent Usman Khawaja and a varied bowling attack. Pakistan were then disposed of 5-0 in the UAE, underlining the threat Australia pose at the showpiece event.
Here we take a closer look at the Australian World Cup team with Smith and Warner back in the team.
Aaron Finch.
Record: Champions 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015
Squad: Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steven Smith, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Nathan Lyon, Kane Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa
Strength: The returning Smith and Warner strengthen the Australian line-up exponentially. The form of Finch and Khawaja at the top of the order means Australia have one of the most threatening and experienced batting line-ups.
Weakness: The absence of a back-up keeper means Carey will have to be carried. Also, it will be a toss-up between Khawaja and Warner as the second opener, leading to a disruption in a working plan. Losing Jhye Richardson means Aussies will be without their true No1 death bowler.
One to watch: Glenn Maxwell is at that point of his career where he is at the peak of his powers, is in form and knows his game inside out. He is a match-winner with the bat, ball and in the field. This tournament could very well be his.
Surprise package: Adam Zampa has proven to be a steely leg-spinner, putting in match-winning spells against India and Pakistan this year. In a tournament expected to be dominated by big hitters, wily wrist spinners will be key.
Prediction: Semi-final