Australia in ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Strengths, weaknesses and key players
World Cup: AUS' Strengths and Weaknesses
A strong Australian outfit enter the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 as one of the red-hot favourites in the tournament. However, they have their own set of challenges and the pressure of the humongous expectations would test their abilities. Devarchit Varma analyses the strengths, weaknesses as well as the key players. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: POINTS TABLE
Only one country has won a World Cup final on home soil. India managed to absorb the pressure in 2011 during their dream run under MS Dhoni. Sri Lanka also won the World Cup in the subcontinent in 1996, but had played most of their games away from home. Over the years, it has become emphatically clear that home advantage isn’t exactly privilege in the big event. The pressure of playing in front of adorning home fans can get to a side. Back in 1992, Australia were unsuccessful in defending their title on home soil. Twenty three years down the line, they face a new challenge but seem well equipped to handle it. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: SCHEDULE & MATCH DETAILS
Australia had a forgettable tournament in 2011 wherein they were knocked out in the quarter-final by India. The Ricky Ponting-led side was on decline and there were many issues that were grappling them. Four years later, the side under Michael Clarke has gelled well in the lead-up and is amongst the most dangerous sides in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Complete Coverage
Strengths: Australia can use the home advantage well when they take the field in the World Cup. There would be a sense of familiarity at home, with the fans right behind them. Australia not only have the advantage of playing at home and in conditions they are most familiar with, but they have been on a winning spree across formats — which is the biggest positive going into the big event. In the batting department, the red-hot form of players such as David Warner, Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell would be the key for them. The presence of all-rounders such as Shane Watson, James Faulkner and Mitchell Marsh only adds to their strength. Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc are looking extremely good in those conditions, and the way Australia have gone about their job in the past one year, one would hope that the side under two-times World Cup-winner Darren Lehmann (coach) would not leave any stone unturned.
Weaknesses: By the look of things, Australia have a well-balanced side that does not have too many issues to address. But the longer Michael Clarke is out of action and off the field; the tougher it will get for them as they will move ahead into the tournament. Clarke is a leader by example and his captaincy is certainly different from that of George Bailey. Clarke has been struggling for fitness and has been at loggerheads with Cricket Australia (CA) over his fitness, and his tendency of breaking down quickly after making comeback will always be worrisome for the Australians. His replacement, Bailey has been struggling for runs and he doesn’t have captaincy skills as impressive and imposing compared to Clarke. The fitness of Faulkner would be another concern for the Australians, and so would be the form of their No. 3 batsman Watson, who has not scored as heavily as they would have liked. Australia does have a strong pace attack, but the spin department looks weak with Xavier Doherty admitting that it will be very tough for him to justify his place in the side.
Key Players: Without much doubts, the men who seem to be on a mission at the moment — Warner and Smith — would be Australia’s key batsmen. Both Warner and Smith have had tremendous success in the past couple of months and it is time for them to carry on the good work for their side for another one-and-a-half month or so and help them earn glory. The fact that Australia bat really deep can be proven with the presence of Faulkner and Starc in the lower-order, and the indomitable presence of Maxwell cannot be ignored. Johnson remains Australia’s best weapon at home on those bouncy tracks, and it will be interesting to see how they deploy their best bowler in the 50-over cricket.
Australia: Michael Clarke (c), George Bailey, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)