A top-class unit with promising talent - far from the declining side people have been alluding to. With the pressure of being favourites taken off them for the first time in 12 years, the defending champions are in a good situation to play more freely.
It's definitely the weakest pre-World Cup side in 15 years though, but still the most vibrant side here with the best bench strength. Despite the negatives, there are enough positives to propel Australia to the semis.
Captain: Michael Clarke
Clarke has a deadline of Feb. 21 to prove himself fit for the tournament after the latest in a succession of hamstring injuries. George Bailey would lead the side in his place. An aggressive and tactically astute skipper, Clarke, when fit, is also a brilliant middle order batsman with a one-day average in the mid-40s.
Coach: Darren Lehmann
Former international batsman Darren Lehmann has overseen a major turnaround in Australia's fortunes since taking over from Micky Arthur in the wake of the miserable tour of India in 2013. Encouraging the players to enjoy the game as much as possible, he has fostered a simple, aggressive brand of cricket which has put Australia back in the top echelon in all formats.
Strengths:
- Key batsmen: Steve Smith and David Warner
- Key bowler: Mitchell Johnson
- Key player: Glenn Maxwell
- Best overall Batting (all eleven) - therefore excellent depth.
- Second-best Strike Rate - suggesting considerable batting dynamism.
- Highest number of consistent high impact players, though many of them still young and somewhat untested.
- Very good bench strength.
Weaknesses:
- Poor Economy (except for Johnson, bowlers are prone to leak runs.)
- No experience spinner of any note.
