Team Australia – Dad’s Army aiming for a hat trick...

The Australian squad for the world cup is as follows –

Ricky Ponting (Capt)

Adam Gilchrist

Nathan Bracken

Micheal Clark

Brad Haddin

Mathew Hayden

Brad Hodge

Brad Hogg

Mike Hussey

Mitchell Johnson

Stuart Clarke

Glenn Mcgrath

Andrew Symonds

Shaun Tait

Shane Watson

After Canada, Australia is the most aged team in the tournament (considering the average age of all fifteen in the squad), with 9 of its players over 30. On top of this, is the fact that most of its match winners are coming back from injury (some serious, some very minor). Thirdly, after what seems like a million years at the top, Australia is no longer the number 1 team in the world. And finally, the once-upon-a-time seemingly invincible world champions, have lost their last five matches (albeit with a depleted team) leading to this tournament.

Any other team that had these qualities against their name would have automatically garnered the label of being an underdog… But not Australia… Book makers and Experts alike, are still terming them as the favorites and it could well be a hat trick for the Aussies.

Let’s analyze the individual disciplines -

Batting –

If Hayden’s toe heals on time and Gilchrist is back from his familial commitments, the pair would without doubt continue to open the innings, though Ponting would have a strong urge to send Watson up the order in order to create the depth in their bowling. Ponting, Hodge and Clarke would make up the middle order, with Hodge likely to be the unlucky one sitting out. Symonds and Hussey would make the lower middle order - and what a lower middle order this pair makes! Hodge leads the tail of a fast bowling pack (with the exception of McGrath) which is more than capable of throwing their bat around.

Bowling –

It’s a team packed with fast bowling options. Though Brett Lee’s absence is sure to be felt, Shaun Tait is genuinely quick and can compensate Lee’s absence with at least the pace. The left arm swing of Bracken and Johnson has troubled the best in the business. McGrath and Clarke have very similar techniques and are extremely mean and stingy when it comes to leaking runs – something the Aussies would desperately want after conceding the kind of runs it did to the kiwis. Shane Watson as the all-rounder can be very effective. Symonds can bowl everything – seam up, spin – and could be very effective, if his biceps heals on time. Hodge the lone spinner could be well supported by the under-utilized Michael Clarke and Hussey.

Keeping –

Gilchrist is definitely the first choice keeper. The Aussies are however carrying with them a reserve in Brad Haddin, who would always rue the fact that he ended up being a contemporary of Gilly. Haddin is good enough to be a first choice keeper in any international side (both for his keeping and batting exploits) and it’s only due to the class of Gilly that he would always remain over-shadowed.

Fielding –

Without doubt, one of the best fielding sides, the Aussies are always raising the bar. Hayden at slips, Ponting, Clarke, Symonds and Hussey in the point to cover region and Hodge on the onside, appears like a sure-shot winner in the all time ‘best fielding combinations inside the 30 yard circle’ contest. The fitness of Clarke and Symonds is very crucial for the Aussies, as it makes the difference between a ‘nearly run out’ and an ‘amazing direct hit’. They are also crucial in saving at least a good 30-40 runs that are otherwise generally leaked through the off-side. The only drawback in this side is the out-fielding, especially with the likes of McGrath, Bracken and Clarke – the tall fast bowlers who sometimes find it difficult to cut off the boundaries. McGrath, in particular has floored quite a few sitters in the recent past.

My First Playing Eleven –

Hayden

Gilchrist

Ponting

Clarke

Hodge

Symonds

Hussey

Hogg

S Clarke

Bracken

McGrath

This line-up is possible only if all the above mentioned players are fit – which looks highly unlikely today. Watson would be unlucky to miss out the eleven, but with the Symonds, Clarke and Hussey capable of completing a good 10 – 15 overs among themselves, the Aussies do not need an additional all-rounder. Tait, in spite of his excess pace might come up short on the slow West Indian pitches. Johnson could give Clarke a real good fight for the third bowler’s slot – but Clarke, because of his economical spells, deserves to make it. As usual Haddin will remain unlucky.

In eight editions of the World Cup, the Aussies have won it thrice (only team to do so) and have been the runners up twice more. In fact in the last 5 editions, they have won it thrice and come second once, while missing the finals only in’92 at home. So these guys have all the experience that is required at the big stage, in big matches…

So it just could be a hat trick for the Aussies…