Australia's Plans to Obliterate the Champions Trophy

Australia goes into the Champions Trophy in England as the current world champions, and having won two of the past three Champions Trophy tournaments. Just how much that second part means is negligible, and in the long run it will only take one slip up for a team to be eliminated. The squad that the selectors have chosen for the three week campaign is designed for only one form of strategy – all-out attack – and its success or lack thereof will be an important factor for when it comes to defending the World Cup crown in the same country in two years’ time.

Given the pace battery that has been assembled, it looks as though Australia will be going for the jugular. It would not surprise at all to see Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and the recalled James Pattinson taking up positions 8 to 11 in the batting order for each game, and rotating around each other at the bowling crease. Given the form of all four in recent times, that is a pretty handy attack to have. There was a somewhat surprising recall for John Hastings after he was ignored for Australia’s ODI’s in January and February despite an impressive six months during 2016 filling in when the majority of those four were out injured. As it stands, it looks as though both he and leg spinner Adam Zampa will be on a Contiki holiday for the three weeks unless something drastic happens. Enjoy the pints lads.

Matthew Wade is the only keeper chosen, and once again has the opportunity to prove the whole world wrong over his suitability to be in the Australian colours. While his batting is handy in the late overs, it will be his glovework that will be in the spotlight. Again.

The top order also appears to be settled, with Aaron Finch likely to get the job of opening with Dave Warner, though it is not beyond the realms of possibility that either Glenn Maxwell or Travis Head will be elevated to that position to squeeze in another batsman. Should that be the case, then it will allow an extra all-rounder in Marcus Stoinis or Moises Henriques to move into the number six position to add another bowling option to complement Maxwell and Head in the fifth bowling spot. This of course is all subject to the fact that it appears too juicy a prospect to not choose Chris Lynn in the top six. You cannot imagine that he has been taken to sit on the reserves bench. If this is the case, it would likely leave Finch as well as one of Stoinis and Henriques to sit with Hastings and Zampa as the tourists with the most spare time to catch up on some reading during the tournament.

Skipper Steve Smith probably holds the key to Australia’s chances again. His batting has been the cornerstone of the innings – for years now, believe it or not. His ability to control the pace of his innings according to the situation has been paramount in Australia’s success (or failure) in recent times. His captaincy too will be put to its toughest test in the one format so far. If he can manage his bowlers and get the fields right then it will go a long way towards his team’s chances of victory.

Five wins separates Australia from another world trophy. Looking at the squad, anything but winning the final will likely be seen as a backwards step for the team as they build towards the next World Cup.