One-day crisis: Australia’s World Cup defence in dire straits
WORLD champions Australia are being stalked by Bangladesh as their free-fall down the one-day international ranks reaches harrowing depths.
WORLD champions Australia are being stalked by Bangladesh as their free-fall down the one-day international ranks reaches harrowing depths.
It has now been 123 days since Justin Langer’s team last tasted victory in any format, and the seven-match losing streak in ODIs, part of a bigger hole of 17 defeats from 19 starts, is the worst period in Australia’s proud 50-over history.
The crisis threatening to swallow up any hope of Australia mounting a World Cup defence is best spotlighted by the fact heroes from the 2015 triumph have not been replaced.
Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, George Bailey and Mitchell Johnson have left a cavernous void which Australia’s production line of talent has failed miserably to compensate for.
The stunning capitulation in the opening ODI against South Africa in Perth has dramatically shortened the odds that Steve Smith and, more specifically, David Warner will be recalled for the World Cup.
But with only 15 matches left as preparation before the showpiece, Smith and Warner’s ban prevents them playing any games before then.
The likes of Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, Shaun Marsh, D’Arcy Short and Marcus Stoinis are under searing pressure to show why they deserve to be going to the World Cup.
In domestic cricket lurk rookie talents like Jake Weatherald, Ben McDermott, Max Bryant and Jack Edwards, but if selectors decide to back in some bolters they would have to bite the bullet sooner rather than later.
As it stands, captain Aaron Finch and wicketkeeper and vice-captain Alex Carey appear the only two guaranteed World Cup selections.
The one silver lining is Australia’s bowling stocks are as rich as they were before the 2015 World Cup, they just need the likes of Billy Stanlake and Nathan Coulter-Nile to click.
Finch predicts the tide will turn and said when it does, Australia can make up ground quickly.
That might be true, but fast bowling spearhead Pat Cummins laid bare how deflating their summer-opening thrashing is for the players.
It’s clear there is uncertainty over how the side can break out of its current funk.
Where is the Berocca for a four-year hangover?
“Yeah it’s hard. I think today, was a day where we thought, fresh start, new summer, back at home (now is the time),” said Cummins.
“We’ve got a great record at home, we had a couple of really good days training at the WACA, and the centre wicket practice almost felt like a couple of games. It felt like we were in a really good place.
“Everyone was really pumped to get the summer started well.
“Unfortunately it didn’t happen. I think it’s finding our 11 or 12 players and trying to stick to as much consistency as possible.
“The easiest way to do that is by everyone performing well … there’s still two games left, I think Adelaide (venue for game two against South Africa on Friday) is a pretty similar wicket to what we got out here and we always play pretty good at Adelaide.
“So all is not lost.”
Cummins said players were acutely aware of the expectations and desperation of a crestfallen fan base.
“We’re pretty hungry for (a win) as well. I think if you see the guys train or talk everyone is just so focused on getting better,” said Cummins.
“We know what the record has been the last year and half. We’re half trying to think about that half trying to put that out of our minds and get better.
“Everyone is so desperate for a win, everyone is trying to desperately find their place in the team.
“Hopefully we’ll make the public proud by playing well, and hopefully get some wins.”
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Originally published as One-day crisis: Australia’s World Cup defence in dire straits
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