THE MEN WHO MATTER 

PART 1/10: THE GRACIOUS HOST

There may be few teams in fray for the favorites spot(s) but if you had to pick only one team the answer is very simple. Playing in their own backyard, there is absolutely no question about what they can do. From blanking their arch rivals in the most prestigious series in test cricket to ODI series victories over the same opposition and South Africa show that the Australians are ruthless especially in front of their home crowd. They surely will be pumped up after a satisfying victory over India recently in whites and will look to carry on the momentum into colored clothing under the lights. The squad selected last Sunday was not a surprise except for the selection of the central figure. Yes there were doubts about Michael Clarke’s fitness and with the World Cup being both long and crucial many were on the edge of their seats for the selection of this particular spot and Cricket Australia has made a wise decision. There is no substitute to his batting and captaincy. By also setting a deadline for him to prove his fitness Australia have made it clear that they won’t waste a spot in the dressing room just because he is the skipper. So Clarke faces a daunting task ahead. Other than that the justifiable selection of Xavier Doherty ahead of an in form Nathan Lyon raised a few eyebrows but then the line and length required of the bowlers in the limited overs format is different from that required in test matches let alone a high pressure tournament like the World Cup. I was personally disappointed with the exclusion of Matthew Wade at the expense of an out of form Haddin. With Wade doing a good job in the bilateral series against South Africa, and Haddin’s poor run against India Wade must have walked in. But it’s the selectors’ decision and must keep their fingers crossed.

THE SQUAD:

Michael Clarke(c), George Bailey(v-c, captain if Clarke declared unfit), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin(wk), Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Patrick Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Xavier Doherty. COACH: Darren Lehmann

Members of the Australian squad in their World cup outfit. From Left to Right: Pat Cummins, David Warner, Josh Hazlewood, Michael Clarke and Mitchell Starc

POSSIBLE PLAYING XI:

They have the problem of plenty. All are top-class players and leaving anyone out can only be done with a heavy heart. My team:

1.Warner 2.Finch 3.Watson 4.Clarke 5.Bailey 6.Smith 7.Haddin 8.Faulkner 9.Johnson 10.Cummins 11.Doherty.

Leaving out Maxwell will look like stupidity but if you think calmly there is surely justification. Faulkner and Watson are the all-rounders in the team. If Watson does not perform up to the expectations of the team there is surely Marsh. I am confident that Faulkner will be consistent and hopefully my concerns about Watson are quashed with superb performances. With Faulkner a sure shot selection into the playing XI, one left arm bowler and one right hand bowler will be the tactical selection. Hence Johnson. Cummins has been on the ODI circuit recently and I prefer him over Hazlewood with very less ODI experience. But if performance is the key Australia will end up with four left arm bowlers- three fast (Starc the third) and the lone spinner. But since there is Watson who can complete 10 overs I think Australia will go in with Starc over Cummins. It’s not that Cummins is not as good as Starc. Cummins along with Starc and Pattinson were the three exciting prospects in Australian bowling three years ago. Since Cummins was very injury-prone Starc got more opportunities and has a proven track record over the years. Cummins has lesser experience and it will take him sometime before being a regular in the playing XI. Should Clarke not meet the deadline, Maxwell will walk in.

X-FACTOR:

The X-Factor

Undoubtedly it is Glenn Maxwell. I have just got three letters I-P-L. Maxi can effortlessly clear the fence. He can play anywhere in the batting order and can deliver what exactly is required of him. He can change the complexion of a game in 5 overs. But then with such abilities also comes the added disadvantage of losing a wicket literally the moment he reaches the crease. He is going through such a patch currently. Just one or two quick fires and he will be away. If he concentrates harder he can play ten or more overs and literally snatch away the game from the opposition. Add to that a few overs and excellent fielding, you have got our X-factor.

STRENGTH:

A Formidable Unit

The entire team is a performing unit and that is their strength. Playing at home is an added advantage which they will take. Their recent form speaks for itself. David Warner and Steve Smith are in good nick. Smith especially batted on a different planet throughout the series. Also in good limited overs form are Bailey and Finch. An excellent pace attack led by Johnson can rattle out any opposition cheaply on their day. They can play both the waiting game and can also take the opposition to the cleaners any time.

CHALLENGES:

Racing against time to prove his fitness is skipper Michael Clarke.

Michael Clarke will be the biggest cause of worry. His failure to prove his fitness will be a mental setback for Australia. Bailey is a good leader but there is no substitute for Clarke. Watson’s place will be in danger as well. There was once a time when he was in contention with Jacques Kallis for the top all-rounder spot. But there has been a drop in his performance over the last few years. He is not the same all-rounder he used to be but still has a few tricks up his sleeve. Time is indeed running out for him. Mitchell Marsh is knocking on the door strongly. I feel that this team has not faced enough pressure tests. There is a certain small imperfection/discontinuity which when hit may crack open the unit wide. I strongly feel that they will face a fate similar to what Brazil encountered at FIFA WC 2014 and that too exactly in the semis. Their conqueror will lift the championship.

SUNDRIES:

An unprecedented fifth title will put them way ahead of the pack. After over eight years of complete domination including three consecutive World Cup titles, Australia lost their stronghold over other nations partly due to the retirement of McGrath, Warne, Gilchrist and Hayden and partly due to incomplete building of a world-class team. In the previous edition they lost to eventual winners India. Since then Clarke worked day in and day out to rebuild the team from scratch. It should only be fair that Clarke plays an instrumental role in Australia’s prospects.

STATS:

From Left to Right- Ponting, Gilchrist, McGrath and  Hayden

Highest Run-scorer - Ricky Ponting - 1743 runs from 46 matches at 45.86

Highest Run-scorer in a single edition - Matthew Hayden - 659 runs from 11 matches at 73.22 - West Indies 2007

Highest team total - 6/377 (50) - v South Africa - 2007

Highest individual score - Matthew Hayden - 158(143) - v West Indies - 2007

Highest Wicket taker -  Glenn McGrath - 71 wickets from 39 matches at 19.21

Highest Wicket taker in a singe edition - Glenn McGrath - 26 wickets from 11 matches

Best Bowling Performance - Glenn McGrath - 7/15(7) - v Namibia - 2003

Most dismissals - Adam Gilchrist - 52 (45 catches and 7 stumpings) - 31 matches

Most dismissals in a single edition - 21 - 11 matches

BOTTOM LINE:

Anything short of the title is disappointment.

MY PREDICTION (I AM NO FORTUNE TELLER!):

Semi-Finals