Australia’s intimidating pace quartet

A quick glance at the Australian squad is enough to get a sense of the intimidation its pace battery can generate. Add a powerful and aggressive batting unit, and it’s easy to see why Steven Smith’s men are among the favourites for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

Australia also has a history of raising its game in major ICC events. It’s the only side to win five World Cups and is the current holder of that prized trophy, having won it in 2015 at home. It is also currently No. 2 in the ICC rankings for One-Day Internationals, not too far behind South Africa. 

Australia’s recent form in the ODI format has not been great apart from a home series win against Pakistan, but placed in Group A along with New Zealand, host England, and Bangladesh, it will look to extend its good run in major tournaments.

The focus is so much on Australia’s pace attack that it’s almost forgotten there are the likes of Smith himself, David Warner, Aaron Finch, Chris Lynn and Glenn Maxwell as batsmen. Factor in the all-round skills of Marcus Stoinis and Moises Henriques, and there’s a person for every condition. If needed, Smith also has the luxury of calling on an upcoming legspinner in Adam Zampa to add variety to the attack. 

Smith’s men will also be motivated by the fact that they were knocked out in the group stage in the last Champions Trophy in 2013, in which Australia was the defending champion. Australia has the personnel to change that this time around, with a squad that’s young but still doesn’t lack experience or variety.

History

Australia lost in the quarterfinals in 1998 and 2000 when the tournament was played in the knockout format. Once the Champions Trophy moved to a league and knockout format, its run ended in the semifinals in 2002 and 2004.

The upward curve continued and Australia became the first team to win the Champions Trophy twice when it won the next two editions in 2006 and 2009.

However, the 2013 edition was a disappointment for Australia as it returned home without a single win, losing two of its three matches with one game washed out by rain.

Recent form

Australia’s recent ODI form has been mixed. It lost the last ODI series it played – against New Zealand in New Zealand. However, that was also because it didn’t put forward its strongest team in order to prepare for the Test series in India.

Prior to that series, Australia had a good run at home, defeating Pakistan and New Zealand comfortably. Pakistan lost a five-match series 1-4 while New Zealand was swept 3-0. 

Before the home summer, Australia suffered one of its biggest setbacks in recent times when it toured South Africa and was blanked 5-0 in a five-match ODI series. It was the first time Australia was ever whitewashed in ODIs by South Africa.

Watch out for

Mitchell Starc: The leader of perhaps the most fearsome pace attack in the competition, Starc’s fitness and form are crucial for Australia’s fortunes in the tournament. The left-arm pacer has been out of action since the second Test of the India tour in March with a foot injury, and also opted out of the subsequent Indian Premier League.

Well rested after the break, Starc will be raring to go and give it his all. At only 27 years of age and with just 65 ODIs to his name, Starc has already established himself among the most exciting fast bowlers in world cricket. He has the ability to swing the new ball at a rapid pace, and also bowl pinpoint yorkers at will in the death overs. It has helped him to his current No. 2 spot in the ICC rankings for ODI bowlers, with only Imran Tahir above him.

That Starc is a big occasion performer can be seen from the fact that he was the Man of the Series in the World Cup 2015, where he was the leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps. Now, he has the responsibility of not just repeating his personal performance, but also showing the way for his younger colleagues.

Squad: Steven Smith (capt), David Warner, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Adam Zampa.

Fixtures

June 2: v New Zealand at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

June 5: v Bangladesh at The Oval, London.

June 10: v England at Edgbaston, Birmingham.