Australia a dominant $1.05 favourite to continue its unbeaten World Cup run against the West Indies

Australia could field two teams capable of winning the World Cup, with depth other teams could only dream of.

Australia will play the West Indies at the World Cup on Tuesday. Picture: Mark Tantrum/Getty Images

Teenage speedster Darcie Brown took three wickets to rock World Cup rivals New Zealand on Sunday but knows she’s no guarantee to play in Australia’s next game.

Depth in the squad of the tournament favourites has hit staggering levels, with selectors able to leave out the world’s No.1-ranked one-day bowler, Jess Jonassen, and still roll the Kiwis for just 128.

Even Megan Schutt, the No.3-rankled bowler in the world, wasn’t used until the 17th over against New Zealand and leg-spinner Alana King, who went into the game as leading wicket taker with five scalps from the opening two matches of the tournament, didn’t even bowl.

Add to that two batters getting their first hit for the tournament – Tahlia McGrath and Ash Gardner – combining for 12 fours, five sixes and 107 runs off just 74 balls, and the $1.05 price for Australia to beat the West Indies on Tuesday seems justified.

“I think where this team’s at, at the moment, there’s some fantastic players sitting on the sidelines that could fit into this team perfectly and can play a huge role,” Gardner said following Sunday’s win.

“Being able to evolve as a team is a huge honour for us … we’re never happy with where we’re at and always striving to be better.”

Australia's Megan Schutt didn’t bowl until the 17th over. Picture: Marty Melville / AFP

Brown, who is only 19, is getting more exposure primarily because of an injury that kept star quick Tayla Vlaeminck out of the World Cup.

Even King and fellow leggie Amanda-Jade Wellington, who took two wickets in two balls on Sunday, are in the squad because T20 World Cup winners Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham are injured.

Australia could almost supply two teams at the tournament able to not just compete with but beat other teams, such are the levels of depth that could force Brown out on Tuesday despite bowling better than ever according to Gardner.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Darcie bowl that well,” Gardner said of her teammate’s performance against New Zealand.

Jess Jonassen was left out of the team that beat New Zealand. Picture: Michael Bradley / AFP

Brown was ready to roll with the selection punches, knowing it was about peaking at the end of a tournament that could demand the Aussies play nine games in four weeks.

“I want to play every single game,” she said.

“But with the path of young fast bowlers there’s been a fair few injuries. When management say I need a rest, you’ve just got to trust them and know it’s in your best interest.”

“I guess it’s not just this tournament but the rest of my bowling career they’re looking at.”

Captain Meg Lanning revealed that opting against opening the bowling with Schutt and leaving Jonassen out was all part of a plan to be attacking at every single match, and that wouldn’t change.

“But that was the method we went with because we felt like that was the best match-up,” she said.

“You’ve just got to roll with it … but that’s the way we’re going to look at it in every game at this World Cup.”

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: Beat England by 12 runs

Mar 8: Beat Pakistan by seven wickets

Mar 13: Beat New Zealand by 141 runs

Mar 15: v West Indies, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 19: v India, Eden Park, Auckland, 12pm AEDT

Mar 22: v South Africa, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Mar 25: v Bangladesh, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 8am AEDT

Originally published as Australia a dominant $1.05 favourite to continue its unbeaten World Cup run against the West Indies