What we learned: Glenn Maxwell misses his moment and Steve Smith is a rock

In Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc Australia have good reason to believe in their World Cup defence. But Justin Langer has plenty to ponder facing India after a top order collapse almost cost them.

• Starc, NCN save Aussies in World Cup thriller
• Smith falls victim to ‘catch of the World Cup’
• ‘Dodgy’ umpire decision anger West Indies

A thrilling victory over West Indies has left Australia with two wins from their opening two fixtures at the 2019 World Cup — but it was a close run thing after a troubling top order collapse.

Five thinsg we learned from Trent Bridge:

Steve Smith is the glue that holds everything together

As those around him fell at startling pace — and often to self-inflicted inflicted wounds — Smith was the one man who stood up at the top of the order, showing the patience and determination of a man in complete command of his game.

Steve Smith was the rock around which Australia’s innings was constructed after the rest of the top order failed.

He may be barred from holding official office within this side for another 11 months but he seems intent on leading through deed regardless.

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Had West Indies been able to remove him early on in his knock there would have been little way back for a crumbling Australia. Instead, he chose his shots wisely and was able to forge partnerships with first Alex Carey and then, more notably, Nathan Coulter-Nile.

It took an absolute worldie of a catch from Sheldon Cottrell to get rid of him in the end at deep backward square leg. But by that point he had dragged Australia from the rubble of its opening spell and back in to a position where its bowlers had opportunity to defend something meaningful.

Australia have missed their former captain this last year. His return has made them one of the favourites to win the whole thing.

Mitch Starc bowling like it’s 2015

Nathan Coulter-Nile was — rightly — named man of the match, but it could just as easily have been Mitchell Starc walking off with the bottle of champagne at the end of another stunning display from the Australian quick.

Mitchell Starc proved his class with a five wicket haul against West Indies.

Starc recorded his sixth ODI five wicket haul from 77 matches. Only Brett Lee (9) and Glenn McGrath (6) have more for Australia. Both from more than 220 matches.

Credit goes to his skipper, Aaron Finch, for how he and pace partner Pat Cummins were used. Each time West Indies looked to be streaking ahead in the game (which was often), Starc, it seemed, was the man brought in to derail them.

In a hectic first power play Starc thought he had removed the dangerous Chris Gayle twice, only for DRS to reprieve the West Indian. But Starc continued to threaten and at the third attempt had his man lbw.

His next meaningful action was a spell that forced Andre Russell in to an error, Starc thus accounting for two of the most dangerous men in the opposition ranks at vital times.

Brought back for a third spell, his impact was even greater. West Indies were in a winning position, with 38 needed off the final five overs, when Starc removed Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite in a single over and turned the match in Australia’s’ favour.

With Cummins, too, fierce and economical in equal measure, Australia know they have a pace attack to rival or better all others. In a World Cup where bowlers have, so far, had more of a say in proceedings than many had feared pre-tournament, their value cannot be understated.

Glenn Maxwell misses out on moment made for him

“The Big Show is a no show,” said Michael Slater in commentary. And it was hard to dispute. Glenn Maxwell offering up evidence for the case of those who still claim his brand of pyrotechnics with the bat is an unreliable luxury rather than something to regularly build an international innings around.

It shouldn’t have been so. When Maxwell came to the crease at 3-36 with 43 overs still to play it looked like a position tailor made for him. All he needed to do was show some patience, play himself in and get used to the short ball barrage before teeing off and unfurling his rich talents on the biggest stage.

Instead he tried to hook Sheldon Cottrell second ball and simply skied one for Shai Hope to take as a regulation catch.

Glenn Maxwell’s stay at the Trent Bridge crease lasted all of two deliveries.

A frustrating sight for a player who Justin Langer recently compared to Virat Kohli in terms of raw talent. His claims of a new found maturity questioned, even if he got away with it, in terms of the result, this time.

Will Nathan Lyon ever play a World Cup match?

Almost certainly, but not in the immediate future you suspect. Adam Zampa has gone for a few at times in the first two matches but has shown enough wicket threat to justify his position as Australia’s no. 1 spinner.

For Lyon to force his way in he will need to dislodge one of the quicks, something that has become less likely after Nathan Coulter-Nile’s stunning turn with the bat.

When wickets get used and dried out towards the back end of the tournament Lyon’s case might become more compelling. But for the moment, Australia’s Test spinner will have to content himself with a watching brief.

India clash shapes as a mouth-watering one

India and Jasprit Bumrah are up next for Australia.

Australia head to The Oval for Sunday’s massive clash with India in good heart after two wins from two having named the same XI for both.

Though having watched the way India dismantled a wounded South Africa — like a cat with a half dead mouse playing with it before the final kill — discussions will be had over any possible changes.

Don’t expect many. The bowling unit all performed against West Indies and so there is little value in messing with its makeup.

Failures at the top of the batting order, however, will be analysed and considered, with Usman Khawaja’s position the most endangered.

A scratchy 15 off 20 balls against Afghanistan was ended by the spin of Rashid Khan. Against West Indies he was never comfortable under a barrage of short balls, gone for six off 10 deliveries.

India has strength in both areas and so Justin Langer might be tempted to drop him for Shaun Marsh. It would be tough on Khawaja who has been in sparkling form this calendar year — not least against Kohli’s men on their own turf. Another failure, against the Indians, may force Langer to act.