In almost two weeks’ time, the 2015 ICC World Cup is set to begin in Australia-New Zealand and as usual, everyone has come out with their opinions on who will take the coveted trophy home. Three names that would instantly crop up in anyone’s mind are Australia, South Africa and India, who are being considered as the primary title contenders. However, out of these three, Australia seems to have the right balance and combination of players required to win a trophy of such magnitude. Let’s observe, analyse and understand why Australia has the “perfect” team.
The ICC World Cup 2015 chronicles: Australia have “perfect” team
Since the first edition of the WC, every winning team has had its openers firing as a pre-condition to success in the tournament. Be it Virender Sehwag-Sachin Tendulkar (2011) or Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist (2003 and 2007). Though you would not consider Aaron Finch and David Warner in the same light, their abilities to win matches are undeniable. Apart from being exceptionally destructive, Finch and Warner can play the long innings, which is imperative for all opening pairs. In addition, their left-hand-right-hand combination is bound to put oppositions in a fix should they get going.
Shane Watson and Steven Smith, coming in at 3 and 4, respectively, give Australia the much needed strength to the middle order, which is critical to any team that wants to win the Cup. Smith is in the form of his life and cannot do anything wrong at the moment. His last seven innings in all forms of cricket read 40, 102*, 47, 37, 117, 71 and 192, and speak volumes about his exploits in the past season. Shane Watson, on the other hand, is like a recipe with the right ingredients simmering on a burner and ready to become a complete dish. For years now, Watson’s exceptional talent has kept him in the team but has rarely transformed into a big trophy for Australia; the 2015 cricket World Cup might just be the stage he needs.
If having Finch, Warner, Smith and Watson as your top four was not enough, Australia have Glenn Maxwell, George Bailey, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin and James Faulkner to follow them. The best part about all these batsmen is their ability to be destructive and circumspect at the same time. Maxwell, on his day, is single-handedly enough to win a match and would get tremendous confidence playing at home, where is well aware of the conditions. Bailey, Marsh, Haddin and Faulkner, on the other hand, can finish games and stay at the wicket if the need be. An excellent example of the same was the Marsh-Maxwell partnership in the final of the Carlton-Mid tri series against England, in which both right handers propelled Australia from around 62-4 to a total of 278.
Though the batting is quite dangerous, Australia’s bowling is what makes them favourites to win the Cup for a fifth time. In Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood, Australia have a pace trio that is complete in all aspects. The neck-breaking pace of Johnson and Starc is bound to send chills down the spines of batsmen. Johnson is raring to go after a break and Starc is developing into a consistent match-winning bowler for the Kangaroos. Add to that the abilities of Josh Hazlewood or Pat Cummins, we have a match-winning bowling line-up. This, surprisingly, is without considering that Faulkner, Marsh and Maxwell will bowl at least 20 overs between them. On wickets that will have a hint of turn, Australia are likely to play young Xavier Doherty instead of a seamer.
Should Michael Clarke get fit before the World Cup, it will be a big boost to the hosts as they would be reassured of top class leadership. In a nutshell, the Australian squad consists of 15 players who are capable of playing in the main XI at all points with the exception of Xavier Doherty. Striking the right combination is the only thing that Darren Lehmann and his think tank will need to figure out. That sorted, Australia could well become the first team to win the World Cup five times.
Tags: Australia, Cricket, Cricket World Cup, CWC 2015, ICC World Cup 2015, Squad, World Cup
