Stamp Of Authority No More
‘Australia’s World Cup?’
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| Arvinda Ranatunga Captained the Sri Lankan team to World Cup glory in 1996 Source: Google |
Four of the last five world cups have been won by Australia. Losing only to Sri Lanka in the 1996 finals while Yuvraj Singh’s all-round performance made sure India went past them in the quarter-finals of the 2011 edition. Such has been their domination over the past two and a half decades.
Australia Cricket Team record at the World Cups since the 1996 edition-
(Out of a possible 56 matches)
Win: 45
Loss: 8
No result/Tied: 3
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| Captain Steve Waugh with the 1999 World Cup trophy in England Source: Google |
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| Ricky Ponting captained the Australian team to their 3rd World Cup triumph in the African Continent in 2003 Source: Google |
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| Ricky Ponting successfully defended the World Cup trophy in West Indies in 2007 Source: Google |
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| Michael Clarke brought back the winning formula and won the World Cup at home in 2015 Source: Google |
Professionalism speaks for itself. Stats don’t lie. Australia have always been a contender for the WC title. But leading up to the biggest cricket tournament in the world, Cricket Australia have problems of their own to sort. The sandpaper scandal took away the life and soul of Australian Batting, David Warner and Steve Smith. The batting heavyweights getting banned for an year each alongside Cameron Bancroft. The road to comeback seems punishing post the ball tampering row that involved changing the condition of the ball using sandpaper. It won’t be easy for different plausible reasons.
Getting match fit shall top their agenda. The level at which international cricket is played, physical as well as psychological toughness shall be tested. Cricket Australia have their task cut out. A right balance has to be achieved between the two batters adjusting back in top form and upholding the image of Cricket Australia in keeping the sport clean without any sort of compromise by not hurrying them in the international circuit. The ban on both players continues till end of March 2019 (most likely til 27th). So there’s a possibility of seeing Warner and Smith travelling to England and Wales to attend the 12thedition of the Cricket World Cup starting on 30th May. Tough decisions will have to be taken.
Expectations from the Aussies this time?
They have a makeshift captain in both forms currently. Tim paine, who was at the verge of retiring from cricket due to injury and form related issues, currently leads them in Test Cricket. While the limited over team is captained by Aaron Finch.
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| (above) Newspapers, Magazines and Tabloids had a gala time covering the sandpaper scandal that rocked Cricket Australia; (below) Video of the scandal Source: Google |
Ban on Steve Smith also includes not captaining the side for the next two years while David Warner will never be allowed to lead the Aussies again. Warner faces the wrath from CA since both Smith and Cameron Bancroft admitted to Warner being the mastermind of the scandal and forced newcomer Bancroft to use sandpaper. Although chances of them playing the WC seems highly unlikely, their participation won’t be guaranteeing them a place in the playing IX. Not that Aussie would mind using Smith only as a batsman, his exceptional batting numbers need no justification or validation. But this certainly makes it one of the most unsettled Aussie side participating in the WC.
After demolishing displays of fast bowling, the fearsome quartet of Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Colin Croft and Joel Garner (Malcolm Marshall, Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose joining in later), in the 70’s and 80’s too faded out, bringing an end to the Windies supremacy over the game. The Aussies face the same fate as their unparalleled World Cup record seems to be hanging by a thin cord that can swing either way.
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| (from left) Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Colin Croft and Joel Garner formed the fearsome pace quartet in the 70's and 80's Source: Google |
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