ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Three Players to Watch out for Australia

ICC Cricket World Cup is set to be played in England and Wales from 30th May. Hosts England will kick-start their campaign against South Africa in the opening game of the competition. 2019 Cricket World Cup is certainly going to be fiercely contested as any team can win the coveted trophy this time around.

Australia is one side that has clearly dominated the limited-overs cricket over the past two decades. The side won their maiden World Cup in 1987 under the leadership of Allan Border. From 1999 till 2007, Australia showed dominance to win three World Cups on the trot. Ricky Ponting was Australia’s only captain who led the side to win the coveted prize on two occasions in 2003 and 2007.

Steven Smith and co. managed to beat New Zealand in the finals of 2015 Cricket World Cup played at Melbourne. With this result, Australia managed to win their fifth World Cup. Reigning Champions Australia had to go through a lean run as they failed to win a one-day series from Feb 2017 till Feb 2019.

The return of David Warner and Steve Smith will certainly bolster the batting resources for the side for the upcoming Cricket World Cup. The side has gained some momentum after notching back-to-back series wins over India and Pakistan.

In World Cup tournaments, you can never underestimate the Australians as they have the ability to raise their game in high-octane situations.

Now, let’s take a look at three players who will be crucial to Australia’s successfully defending their crown.

David Warner

Opening batsman David Warner will certainly one player to watch out for in Australia in this year’s Cricket World Cup. Pugnacious Left-hander will be keen to make an impact with the bat for Australia at the top of the innings.
Warner is coming into the squad after serving his twelve-month ban after being found guilty of spot-fixing during the Test series played against South Africa.

Since making his debut in one-day cricket in 2009, he has scored 4343 runs in 106 games at an average of 43.43 with fourteen centuries to his name.He has certainly been in scintillating form with the bat and scored 611 runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

Certainly, Warner’s role will be keen to play his shots and put pressure back on the opposition in the initial Powerplay overs.

Aaron Finch

Aaron Finch will lead Australia for the 2019 Cricket World Cup that will be played in England from 30th May. Captain Aaron Finch will certainly be looking to deliver runs with the bat at the top of the innings. The 32-year old forms a lethal opening combination with David Warner for Australia in limited-overs cricket.

His experience will certainly help Australia go the distance and clinch their sixth crown this year. In recently concluded series against Pakistan, Finch came back to form and scored 451 runs in 5 matches. He scored smashed two centuries and two half-centuries in the one-day series played in the UAE.

Finch currently has scored 4052 runs in 109 one-day matches at an average of 39.33 with 13 centuries to his name. Since the beginning of this year, he has scored 634 runs in 13 matches at an average of 52.83 with two centuries to his name.

Finch is a proven performer with the bat and has single-handedly won games of cricket for Australia in the past. The right-handed batsman has decent numbers in England in limited-overs cricket and is averaging 35.76 with the bat.

Mitchell Starc

Left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc will be keen to make an impact with the new ball for Australia in the upcoming Cricket World Cup that will begin from 30th May. In English conditions, Starc will be looking to make early inroads with the new-ball.

The 29-year old has picked up 145 wickets in 75 one-day games played for Australia. He is the only bowler included in the squad who played in the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

In 2018, he struggled to pick up with the new ball and claimed 11 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 37.36. His last appearance for Australia came against South Africa in November last year. He has not made a lot of cricket since then which will be a cause of concern for the team management.

Starc is expected to regain full fitness and be available for the warm-up games for Australia ahead of Cricket World Cup.

Overall, Australia has a well-balanced squad for this year competition. David Warner and Mitchell Starc are match-winners, who can change the complexion of the game in a space of few overs.