AUSSIE JUGGERNAUT!!!

Twenty one days!! That is all that separates us and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. The countdown has for the showcase event which is going to be hosted by the cricket crazy Indian Subcontinent. As a preview to the World Cup, I will preview each team, their squad and their chances at the mega event. I will go in order of the rankings, so to start we have Australia…
AUSSIE FORCE
Australia return to the World Cup at the centre where their World Domination began. It was Allan Border’s side in 1987 that set the tone for the next generation to dominate world cricket for over two decades.
Off late, Australia’s hold over World Cricket Domination has loosened. To be really fair, it is because most of their stalwarts retired at the same time. The Haydens, Gilchrists, McGraths, Warnes etc hanged their boots one after the other. Player who were their replacements in on-off games found themselves in the thick of things. In ODI cricket, they still continue to dominate and have hardly lost a series since the last world cup. The squad that they have picked is almost the same as the one that won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2009 and the ODI series in India the same year. The squad:
1. Ricky Ponting (captain)
2. Michael Clarke (vice-captain)
3. Michael Hussey
4. David Hussey
5. Brad Haddin
6. Shane Watson
7. Tim Paine
8. Steven Smith
9. John Hastings
10. Brett Lee
11. Nathan Hauritz
12. Shaun Tait
13. Doug Bollinger
14. Cameron White
15. Mitchell Johnson
Australia is currently playing the ODI series versus England and have done very well to 3-1 going into the 5th game at Brisbane. I say Australia have done well because they are without Ponting and Michael Hussey, Hauritz, and Tait have injured themselves in course of the ongoing series. Apart from Ponting, the other injured men are doubtful for the World Cup. Michael Hussey is an important figure for Australia and is one man who has been consistent during the Ashes down under. If he isn’t able to recover in time then Shaun Marsh will find himself in the squad. Marsh replaced Hussey in the second ODI at Hobart and made an amazing hundred. If I was a selector I would pick Marsh ahead of David Hussey. Although Hussey provides variety with his off breaks to go with his batting, Shaun Marsh provides reliability at the top of the order. More importantly, Marsh has been very successful in India. He did very well in the ODI series in 2009 getting that hundred at Hyderabad and who will forget IPL 2008 where he scored over 600 runs in 11 games.
Coming into the subcontinent, it is very important to have spinners in your team. Australia have picked Steven Smith and Nathan Hauritz. Steven Smith is more of a batting all rounder and off late they haven’t looked at him as a bowling option but have relied on the services of Hauritz or Xavier Doherty. Hauritz has dislocated his shoulder and is doubtful for the World Cup. Doherty will walk in if Hauritz doesn’t make it. I think he too should have been in the squad in the first place. Australia are carrying a fast bowler too many. For subcontinental conditions you need to have a good stock of spinners in your side. Xavier Doherty should have been picked in place of John Hastings. Shaun Tait is another injury worry. With his pace he can be menacing on any surface and Australia will pray that he be fit in time for the tournament.
STRENGHTS:
1. Despite their failure in tests the bowlers that Australia have in their roster are very good for the ODI game. Ryan Harris and Clint McKay would have been good options but are out for a long time due to injuries. Doug Bollinger, Brett Lee, Johnson and Tait(if fit) form a very dangerous attack. Bowlers like Siddle and Hilfenhaus are waiting in the wings.
2. The form of Shane Watson is one major plus point for the Australians. He has provided them with fantastic starts as an opener and is very useful option with the ball. In India it is important to get runs on the board, and Watson will be the key to that for the Aussies.
3. Fielding. Australia is still a fantastic fielding side and they save over 30 excess runs each game and it is generally the difference between the two sides.
WEAKNESSES:
1. Just one I would say: Lack of Spinning Options. With Hauritz doubtful and Smith preferred more for his batting, Australia do not have many spinning options. David Hussey may have to bowl to provide some crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs.
WARM UP FIXTURES:
1. Versus India at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. February 13 at 02:30 PM IST.
2. Versus Australia at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. February 15 at 02:30 PM IST.
GROUP FIXTURES:
1. Versus Zimbabwe at Sardar Patel Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad. February 21 at 02:30 PM IST
2. Versus New Zealand at Vidharba Cricket Association Ground, Nagpur. February 25 at 09:30 AM IST
3. Versus Sri Lanka at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. March 5 at 02:30 PM Sri Lankan Time (same as IST)
4. Versus Kenya at M.Chinnaswamy Staium, Bengaluru. March 13 at 02:30 PM IST.
5. Versus Canada at M.Chinnaswamy Staium, Bengaluru. March 16 at 02:30 PM IST.
6. Versus Pakistan at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. March 19 at 02:30 PM Sri Lankan Time.

RECORD IN PREVIOUS TOURNAMENTS:
1975: Lost in the final to West Indies.
1979: Did not qualify for semi finals.
1983: Did not qualify for the semi finals.
1987: Champions. Beat England in the finals.
1992: Did not qualify for the semi finals.
1996: Lost in the finals to Sri Lanka.
1999: Champions. Beat Pakistan in the finals
2003: Champions. Beat India in the finals.
2007: Champions. Beat Sri Lanka in the finals.


MOST RUNS: Ricky Ponting. 1537 runs at an average of 48.03 in 39 matches
MOST WICKETS: Glenn McGrath. 71 wickets at an average of 18.19 in 39 matches