Australia, the defending World Cup champions, who has the record of winning the cup three times and is on a hat-trick after winning the 99 and 2003 in a row. Australians are in the Group-A with South Africa, Netherlands and Scotland. Though, it has lost five matches in a row from England and New Zealand, still it is considered as one of the favorite contender for winning the world cup.
Cricketing history of Australia provides memories of cricketers like the great Sir Don Bradman, speedster Dennis Lillee, David Boon, Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh, Mark Taylor and many more. The current team under the captaincy of Ricky Ponting looks more professionals with excellent bowlers and attacking batsmen.
Team Players: Ricky Ponting (C), Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke, Adam Gilchrist (Wk), Brad Haddin (Wk), Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Stuart Clark, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson.
Key Players: Under the captaincy of Ricky Ponting and coach John Buchanann Australian team looks one the strongest team and as any other teams, it also more or less depends on certain players like Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Gilchrist, Hayden, Glenn McGrath and captain himself.
Ricky Ponting – Apart from his captaincy Ponting is known for his batting and one can’t forget his performance in last world cup final against India, where he scored an unbeaten 140. His average shows all that he is surely one of the players to watch in this world cup.
Michael Clarke – This young gun is a perfect all rounder with his blazing batting at the middle order and a useful slow blower. His consistent batting will be helpful for building a good score.
Adam Gilchrist – This wicketkeeper batsman has proved to be a fine opening batsman and probably the best wicketkeeper batsman for the present World Cup. He has the capacity to destroy any bowling attack especially during the fielding restriction makes him one of the useful player.
Glenn McGrath – This man from a longtime considered as the sphere head of Australian bowling attack as he is very much consistent in his wicket taking abilities with a good economic rate. He also possesses the best bowling figure in any world cup with 7/15. If he will be in his form, then can be a good contributing factor for Australian chase of the cup.
Apart from these experienced players, there are some news faces and together make it a well-composed team for World Cup 2007.
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