The vice-captain of the formidable Kangaroos, M Clarke, was pretty confident that Aussies will retain the silverware.
"Our ODI form has been pretty consistent over the last 12 months. We have
really played some pretty good cricket and it was great to win the ODI
series against England. We can take a lot of confidence out of that,
especially after the tough start to the summer we had." Clarke said
"Our team is a lot different to what was there in 2007 but the guys are
playing some good one-day cricket of late and we are confident that if we
can continue to play the way we did throughout the summer, we can have a
really good crack in this tournament."
"We have got very good individual players in our side. We have got lot of
talent in our side but to win the World Cup the team must play together.
It's not individual brilliance; it's about the team performing consistently
throughout the tournament.
"To win such a tournament, you have to be at your best all throughout and it
will decide the winner of this World Cup,"
Admitting that the subcontinental tracks favour spin, Clarke said Aussies
will rise to the occasion.
"I think the wickets are going to be pretty slow, similar to what was there
in the West Indies. One good thing is that we are playing this tournament in
the subcontinent as many guys in our team are experienced of playing in
these conditions because of IPL, Champions League Twenty20 and international
duties."
He said the Aussies do not lack spinners.
"We have got a few good spinners in Jason Krejza, Steven Smith. Jason has
had a lot of success in the subcontinent.
But if I am required to bowl, I will look forward to that. I enjoy bowling
anywhere in the world, especially in these conditions."
He said the Kangaroos are a well balanced side.
"We have Cameron White, David Hussey and probably Steven Smith. They have
shown that they have the power to clear the fences. With the fast outfield
and good wickets, chasing eight runs an over is quite gettable in the last
10 overs these days."
"I think we have a very good opening combination in (Shane) Watson and
(Brad) Haddin because both can play positively and bat very well together.
The combination has been successful for a while now,"
"Our four fast bowlers will be important for us. Brett Lee has been a
wonderful bowler and has been successful for Australia for a long time. So
his experience is going to be certainly needed in these conditions. John
Hastings and Watson can provide that variation and change of pace in the
middle overs. We tried to cover as many bases as possible."
Clarke will be the Aussies best bet against spin.
"Spinners will definitely play a big part in these conditions throughout the
World Cup and it's important that I do play well against the spin bowling. I
guess I have had some success against spin in the past. But it's important
for all of us to adapt and adjust on different pitches and against different
teams and bowlers. It's important to play well as a batting unit against
spin bowling."
He said he will not take the warm up matches lightly.
"I think it's great to play as much cricket in these conditions before the
first game in the tournament. We are playing two very good teams in India
and South Africa and we want to win both the games. Every time we take the
field, we want to win," averred the great batsman.
David Hussey says the recent series gave him a lot of confidence.
"The one-day series against England is sort of a breakthrough series for me.
I really enjoyed it. I had little bit of success but what was more
satisfying that we won the series convincingly. I also enjoyed bowling in
the ODI format," said David.
He admitted he is under pressure, particularly when his brother M Hussey is not there in the side, but then pressure is always there when you play for Australia.
"Every time you play for Australia, there is lots of pressure involved and
playing in the World Cup is intense pressure. What I am looking forward to
is not to disappoint Mike. He will be watching us play back from Perth and I
am sure he will be supporting us."
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