Australia to win the World Cup

I think that the team with the most chance to win the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 is Australia. Many fans will point to the the class in the Indian batting lineup. Especially as the team won the last World Cup. In response I will highlight their bowling attack. Many will point to South Africa's recent success against the West Indies. I will highlight our past failures at the World Cup and a lack of consistency in One Day Internationals in recent years. 

Australia will be playing at home, and the talent and experience in their squad will make them strong favourites.

Mitchell Starc is an excellent bowler in the Australian team. Photo from www.telegraph.co.uk

The pitches in Australia and New Zealand favour fast bowlers and attacking batsmen. Australia has exactly that. Mitchell Starc has burst onto the scene as a deadly fast bowler. The 24-year-old has already taken 59 ODI wickets at an average of 20.11 and economy of 4.97. Pat Cummins is another young bowler with very fast pace and skill, and James Faulkner is a great death bowler. 

The batsmen in the team should be of even more concern to opposition teams. Aaron Finch and David Warner are a deadly opening combination. Both are aggressive, and if either stays in for more than 30 overs, the team will probably set a total of 300+. If Michael Clarke (33) recovers from his injury he will be the most experienced player in the team. He has scored 7 762 ODI runs at an average of 44.86. George Bailey and Glenn Maxwell can provide great end-of-innings smashing, while Brad Haddin brings much experience.

As of 23 January Australia is ranked fourth in the world in ODIs, according to the International Cricket Council rankings. England is first, South Africa is second and India is third. Australia have also won the World Cup the most number of times, which is four times.

What has happened to Australia?

The Proteas' next series is three weeks away (in SRI: 5 ODIs, 3 T20Is). Even more prevalent though is the question: what has happened to Australia?

It is in disarray. The cricket team of course, not the country.

George Bailey (30) was run out for 4 against SRI in this ICC Champions Trophy. Image taken from: http://www.cricket.com.au/images/australian-men

When I was growing up I watched Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden fiercely dominate any bowling attack they played against. Now there is only Shane Watson and Michael Clarke.

When I was young I admired the sheer brilliance of Glenn McGrath, the tenacity of Brett Lee and the wit of Shane Warne. Now there is only Mitchell Starc and the tired Mitchell Johnson.

What has happened?

Can you just blame poor succession planning?

Was it perhaps just a coincidence that the next generation of Australian cricketers could not live up to the past one? Was it is just life, just something that happens, that the Australian cricket team has lost quality over time?

I am sure they have not always been good. I think every country has its good periods and bad ones.

But the fact that Australia is going through one of its least successful periods now, that it has just sacked their coach Mickey Arthur and replaced him with Darren Lehmann and that it is facing discipline issues leaves me wondering if something is causing the country's cricket to deteriorate.

Don't get me wrong, Australia is still decent. But compared to how they used to be...

If there is something hurting Australian cricket it may go deeper than the players. Officials, bureaucracy, politics, the food they eat, I don't know. Something.

For the champions to get knocked out in the group stage, and not only that but be last in the group and leave with only one point in three games thanks to a no-result against NZ, something must have gone wrong.

Michael Hussey retired from international cricket last December, the last great Australian batsman I think, apart from Michael Clarke, at least as far as I can tell for a while.

As a rule in South Africa, that we can't support Australia and should even despise them, I grew up anti-Ausie. However it was a love-dislike relationship. I loved to dislike Australia. Things have changed now for two reasons: as a journalist I try to play down my personal preferences in everything and I just feel sorry for Australia. They were our arch-nemesis. A bit like Vageta was to Goku, so Australia was to us. The 'villain' was stronger than the 'hero' for ages until the villain joined the good guys. Then he became undoubtedly weaker than the 'hero'.

Why can't Australia get better again?

Mickey Arthur rightfully disciplines 4 Ausie cricketers

Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja were all suspended for one test match by Australian coach Mickey Arthur following their failure to do homework set out for them, and a history of "attitude" and "back-chat". Shane Watson returned to Australia to be with his pregnant wife and consider his future in the game.

During a break between the second and third test match between Australia and India, Arthur gave the AUS team the task of brainstorming how each player could improve their own game, and that of the team. They had a few days to do this. The above four players returned empty handed and received the axe. Captain Michael Clarke backed Arthur's decision saying the failure of the players was "unacceptable".

I think that Arthur did the right thing to make the team do this 'homework'. He said that working on their game was part of improving, otherwise they would stay number 3 or 4 in the world. The fact that some players did not show Arthur, and the team, the respect by doing it is not right. When I hear that there is a history of bad attitude that makes it even worse.

Arthur has been criticized by some for his decision. Others have criticized the players. For me it is simple: Success is achieved through hard work and sacrifice. Any student can tell you that. If the majority of the team and it's management want success they will work hard. If a few individuals refuse to adhere to the consensus, maybe they should find another team where they don't have to work.

Achieving greatness also means being humble and obeying your leaders. Jesus said that "...Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave" (Matt 20:26-27). What do you think about this issue?

Mickey Arthur (44) coached South Africa from 2005-2010. Picture taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk.

You can read the story here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/australia/9927135/Australia-coach-Mickey-Arthur-reveals-suspending-four-players-was-for-culmination-of-lots-of-small-minor-indiscretions.html