Can the Australian cricket team defy its poor world ranking to clinch a 6th title at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019? Find out in our Australia team guide.
Also read: Our ICC Cricket World Cup guide.
Australia is the most successful cricketing nation in Cricket World Cup history. Since the inaugural one-day international (ODI) tournament in 1975, Australia has contested 7 of the 11 finals, winning 5. However, Australia has never been such an underdog going into a World Cup.
Ranked a lowly fifth in the world, Australia's recent run of form has masked the fact the squad overall has consistently under-performed since it was crowned champions at the last World Cup. England and India are instead favourites for the 2019 event and Australia will have to fire on all cylinders to have a chance.
At least the country's two best batsmen are back, with Steve Smith and David Warner having completed their suspensions. Both are in form too after stunning displays in the IPL and warm-up matches. In fact, for the first time in ages, all Australia's batsmen are looking sharp and it's the bowlers that could be the weak point.
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Will Australia win the 2019 Cricket World Cup?
There's no doubt Australia is entering the 2019 Cricket World Cup as an outside chance. Australia can never be written-off given it's the most successful nation in ODI World Cup history. However, ranked a lowly fifth in the world, victories haven't been easy to come by over the last few years. That said, recent form has been solid with wins in India and Pakistan, and that was without the country's two best batsman in the team. With David Warner and Steve Smith now available, Australia's ability to post big scores equals that of any other nation. It's bowling where Australia's stocks are thin. With that in mind, if Australia bats first and puts the pressure on the opposing side with an imposing total, the bowlers may be able to rattle the cages and push Australia deep into the tournament.
How to watch Australia's Cricket World Cup games
There are three ways to watch each one of Australia's Cricket World Cup matches; Foxtel, Kayo Sports and Channel 9. We have put together a detailed comparison of these options alongside more information in our where to watch the Cricket World Cup guide.
Australia squad
Here is the 15-man squad of players who will be in England to contest the ICC World Cup 2019. This can be changed up until 30 May in case of injuries, so we'll update this list as required.
| Player | Age | Caps | Position | Batting rank | Bowling rank | All-rounder rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Finch (c) | 32 | 109 | Batsman | 9 | >100 | 50 |
| Alex Carey (vc, wk) | 27 | 19 | Wicket-keeper-batsman | 86 | >100 | >100 |
| Pat Cummins (vc) | 27 | 48 | All-rounder | >100 | 6 | 43 |
| Jason Behrendorff | 29 | 6 | Bowler | >100 | >100 | >100 |
| Nathan Coulter-Nile | 31 | 27 | Bowler | >100 | 49 | 93 |
| Usman Khawaja | 32 | 31 | Batsman | 18 | >100 | >100 |
| Nathan Lyon | 31 | 25 | Bowler | >100 | 51 | 72 |
| Shaun Marsh | 36 | 71 | Batsman | 43 | >100 | >100 |
| Glenn Maxwell | 30 | 100 | All-rounder | 23 | 96 | 16 |
| Kane Richardson | 28 | 20 | Bowler | >100 | 83 | >100 |
| Steve Smith | 30 | 108 | Batsman | >100 | >100 | >100 |
| Mitchell Starc | 29 | 75 | Bowler | >100 | 12 | 47 |
| Marcus Stoinis | 29 | 33 | All-rounder | 38 | 91 | 18 |
| David Warner | 32 | 106 | Batsman | >100 | >100 | >100 |
| Adam Zampa | 27 | 44 | Bowler | >100 | 43 | 96 |
Australia fixtures
Here are the scheduled matches for Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. This includes a guide on where to watch a live stream of Australia's matches.
| Stage | Match | Date | Start time (AEST) | Team A | Team B | Venue | Where to watch | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group | 4 | Saturday 1 June | 10:30pm | Afghanistan | Australia | County Ground | Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Channel Nine | TBA |
| Group | 10 | Thursday 6 June | 7:30pm | Australia | West Indies | Trent Bridge | Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Channel Nine | TBA |
| Group | 14 | Sunday 9 June | 7:30pm | India | Australia | Kennington Oval | Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Channel Nine | TBA |
| Group | 17 | Wednesday 12 June | 7:30pm | Australia | Pakistan | County Ground | Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Channel Nine | TBA |
| Group | 20 | Saturday 15 June | 7:30pm | Sri Lanka | Australia | Kennington Oval | Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Channel Nine | TBA |
| Group | 26 | Thursday 20 June | 7:30pm | Australia | Bangladesh | Trent Bridge | Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Channel Nine | TBA |
| Group | 32 | Tuesday 25 June | 7:30pm | England | Australia | Lord's | Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Channel Nine | TBA |
| Group | 37 | Saturday 29 June | 10:30pm | New Zealand | Australia | Lord's | Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Channel Nine | TBA |
| Group | 45 | Saturday 6 July | 10:30pm | Australia | South Africa | Old Trafford | Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Channel Nine | TBA |
| Semi-final | SF 1 | Tuesday 9 July | 7:30pm | 1st | 4th | Old Trafford | Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Channel Nine | TBA |
| Semi-final | SF 2 | Thursday 11 July | 7:30pm | 2nd | 3rd | Edgbaston | Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Channel Nine | TBA |
| Final | Final | Sunday 14 July | 7:30pm | Winner semi-final 1 | Winner semi-final 2 | Lord's | Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Channel Nine | TBA |
Australia team news
Josh Hazlewood upset with selectors
15.05.19 – Josh Hazlewood was a shock omission from Australia's Cricket World Cup squad, despite being one of the world's top bowlers. After back surgery in January, Hazlewood has revealed he is back to 90–95% fitness, but that wasn't enough to convince selectors he was worth a late call-up. Josh Hazlewood said, "It was obviously bitterly disappointing [to miss out. It's not just a normal ODI series, it's a World Cup. It only comes around every four years. I was lucky enough to experience it on home soil last time. It'll probably hit me a bit once the tournament starts and you're watching on TV. Not playing cricket for four months went against me. I can see their side of things."
Steve Smith finds form in warm-up match
10.05.19 – In his last match before heading to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, former Australian captain Steve Smith has cruised to 91 not out against a New Zealand XI. He did it off just 108 balls, too, and was robbed of a near certain ton when bad light stopped play early.
Image Source: Kayo Sports
