Australia’s stunning turnaround in ODI form over the last few months has been a sight to behold – but there’ll be no getting off easy if they fall back into their old ways at the World Cup.
After a putrid run of form in the 50-over format – exacerbated by Steve Smith and David Warner’s suspensions – historic series wins away in India and against Pakistan in the UAE have increased expectations for the World Cup greatly.
Are the Aussies actually a chance? What’s the pass mark?
We were joined on the Game of Codes podcast by Roar cricket expert Glenn Mitchell to run over Australia’s chances, selection quandries and matches to look out for.
Listen to the debate:
Australia have a huge reputation to defend at the World Cup, with their five triumphs – including the last tournament in 2015 – the most of any country.
A triumph here, however, could arguably be considered the greatest of them all.
The Aussies enter the World Cup ranked fifth in ODIs at the moment, behind New Zealand in fourth, South Africa (third), India (second) and first-ranked England.
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Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Definitely, washouts can still have an effect, but with more matches there is more opportunity to make up for them. In the Champions Trophy, Australia didn't have a single match that wasn't seriously rain-effected. It's harder for that to happen when playing 9 matches than when playing 3. But yes, if two teams are fighting for the fourth spot and one has a washout against England and the other a washout against Bangladesh, it's going to make a difference.
Spanner
Roar Rookie
Absolutely, Betty - we're here to win the bloody thing ! "bowlers win matches - batsmen save them" - I Chappell.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Considering where we 12 months ago relating to form and results in ODI..... Making the Quarters would be a pass mark..... However we've found our feet and seem to have turned that around..... For me minimal pass mark would be Semi's..... A Good Tournament would be Final..... Winning- well that's what dreams are made off. I think it really should be a Inda England final..... But England do seem to find away of stuffing up in these tournaments.....
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
Fair point Bushy, lets compare notes in a month or so and hopefully we're both right.
Gee
Roar Rookie
I think a semi place is a pass, we are behind England and India. But as was written in the paper last week we are tournament specialists so with a bit of luck we can get the trophy again.
Ouch
Roar Rookie
Semi final minimum
Simoc
Guest
I rate Australia as a long shot here so semi final spot is where we're at. On a good day Australia can beat South Africa, England, India but on other days lose to those to those teams plus New Zealand, Pakistan, Bangladesh and WI. There's nothing to cut and dried except that hosts, England, have the best team and should win comfortably. But you gotta think they'll choke at home.
Rob
Guest
I think Australia is in a good position to make the Semi finals and then it will come down to execution on the day. What they can't afford to do is take anyone lightly and start fouling around with the batting order. Leave UK and Finch together. If Warner is out of sorts after 3 games swap him with UK. I can't see Warner struggling not opening. My line up would be 1) Khawaja 2) Finch 3) Warner 4)Smith 5) Maxwell 6) Carey 7) Coulter-nile/ Stonis 8)Cummins 9) Starc 10) Behrendorff 11) Zampa/Lyon.
The Bush
Roar Guru
A pass mark isn’t a participation trophy... it’s a pass mark. But fair enough you think we’re the best team, if so then you’re right, only winning is a pass mark (I just don’t think we’re the best team).
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
Tough, perhaps but I'm on the wrong side of 50 and we didn't do participation trophies back in the day. Your job is to win, if you don't win you didn't do your job. Although I'd accept getting beaten by a genuinely better team but I firmly believe Australia has the best all round, balanced team to get the job done.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Don’t worry mate I’ll fall on a sword for the both of us if it happens!
JamesH
Roar Guru
Uuuuuuuuuungh
JamesH
Roar Guru
If that happens I'm blaming you, Bush :(
anon
Roar Pro
I reckon we're good enough to win it all. If they stuff up selections by playing Marsh instead of Khawaja and if Stoinis continues his lean trot and isn't replaced by Handscomb, then the failed title defence will be on the coach. It will be his fault we didn't defend a title that has almost become our America's Cup. Just one failed campaign this century.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Pass mark - rather than a high distinction or just two gold stars- would surely be the semi-finals. I.e coming in the top four of a round robin tournament. Having a worse record than any of the current Pakistan, New Zealand or Windies teams (let alone SL, Afghanistan or Bangladesh) would be a huge disappointment. But finishing behind NZ, for example, is not impossible.
Omnitrader
Roar Rookie
Maxwell and Starc were our best players last world cup, Maxwell scored a test ton on a raging turner in India under immense pressure, internal and external. He’s shown he stands up on the big occasions multiple times.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Bushie a pass mark is at least making the final. Making the semis shouldn't be an issue, so lose that game and it's below a pass.
The Bush
Roar Guru
Is that how many Aus games you've watched in the last 12 months?
Peter Warrington
Guest
Thanks, Steven Wade
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
It will be made tougher if Maxwell has his usual 1 good game in 10.