Cricket Australia has announced its 15 members ICC world cup 2019 squad recalling former captain Steve Smith and Vice Captain David Warner in the team after both served one year ban from international cricket for ball tampering scandal during South Africa tour last year. For the very wide open world cup 2019 it will a tough mission for the defending champions in its hexa mission. Australia won the championship in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015. After that incident in South Africa following banning of three players and Australia’s cricket image getting blotted, team went through a very lean patch losing matches. But true to the sporting character of the nation Australia regrouped and bounced back under dynamic leadership of Aaron Flinch. Wining ODI series against strong India in India 3-2 and Whitewashing Pakistan 5-0 in their adopted home UAE gave rest of the world a strong message. All these were accomplished without Warner, Smith and Starc, three of the star performers. Now with them back in the squad and Australian key players in sparkling form in IPL the favorites are looking composed yet again.
The Squad:
Aaron Flinch (Captain), David Warner, UsmanKhawaja, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Glen Maxwell, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Pat Cummins, Jason Behendorff, Nathan Coulter –Nile, Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon.
Unfortunately although in great form Peter Handscomb, Aston Turner and Kane Richardson had to give way to David Warner, Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc. However, Cricket Australia named all three for Australia A team. They may force their way into the squad in the event of any injury to any one in the original squad.
People say what Brazil is to world soccer, Australia is to world cricket. Like Brazil winning world cup soccer 5 times over all, Australia also have won world cup cricket 5 times. Off course cricket being not that universal game as soccer Australia for its cricket is not known that much across the glove as Brazil.
Australians are great sporting nation. Always fancy keeping fit. Nation blessed with huge natural resources and plenty of open spaces have huge opportunities of practicing. The cricket structure is well organized and creates great depth of talent. Australians play every game hard and never want to loose.
Australia in ICC World Cup Cricket
Year Round Games Won Lost Captain
1975 Runners
Up 5 3 2 Ian
Chappell
1979 Group
Stage 3 1 2 Kim
Hughes
1983 Group
Stage 6 2 4 Kim
Highes
1987 Champions 8 7 1 Alan
Border
1992 Round
Robin 8 4 4 Alan
Border
1996 Runners
Up 8 5 3 Mark
Taylor
1999 Champion 10 7 2 + 1 tied) Steve
Waugh
2003 Champion 11 11 0 Ricky
Ponting
2007 Champion 11 11 Ricky
Ponting
2011 Quarter
Final 7 4 2+1 tied Ricky
Ponting
2015 Champion 9 7 1+1 tied Michael Clark
5 times Champion 85 61 21 loss
If we analyze the team we find Australians have picked a very strong fast bowling attack. Starc, Cummins, Coulter-Nile, Richardson and Behendroff would test any batting order with raw pace and movement. In Zampa and Lyon, they posses two good enough spinners. Maxwell We know Australians always field smartly.
David Warner the flamboyant Australian opener is back with a bang in his brilliant best. His prolific form in IPL at one time almost made Usman Khawaja’s place at stake. But CA could not ignore the brilliant batting of Khawaja. Peter Handscomb had to stay out. Another top gun Steve Smith although not in his best form yet in IPL can not be overlooked for his class and experience. Aaaron Flinch , Shaun Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Glen Maxwell all are in runs . Australia appears to have got back its all winning touch.
The team will play some warm up matches against New Zealand before flying to England and Wales for hexa mission. One must not forget that Australia is the only team winning championship in all continents Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. If any other team England, India, South Africa or West Indies have to win they really will have to play out of their skins.
BDST: 1105 HRS, APR 18, 2019
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