Womens ODI World Cup | Incredible Australia stays the group to beat

A star-studded Australian squad comes into this World Cup with a larger-than-life fame and a aggressive pool with piranhas snapping at its heels. While the Aussies are a couple of tiers above the remainder of the nations in success and depth, that hole is quick narrowing. The facet’s unimaginable assets in each departments and a glowing report as a fielding unit imply it enters the event as a agency favorite.

It’s a well-recognized trying facet, with 10 gamers carrying over from its 2022 World Cup-winning bunch – all confirmed match winners who can single-handedly change video games. The likes of Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney and the younger Annabel Sutherland present solidity to this batting backbone, however the upside is within the younger gamers slotted in between. Selectors will sweat over who to roll out between Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Voll – each of whom have excelled in opposition to high-quality opponents like England and India. Ellyse Perry’s skill to modify gears, particularly within the center overs, additionally bolsters this facet.

Grace Harris discovered herself dominated out resulting from a calf pressure days earlier than the opener, however in Heather Graham, the facet has a dependable alternative.

The cherry on prime is the supply of a minimum of eight aggressive bowling choices to counter essentially the most aggressive of batting assaults, with extra match-winners like Sophie Molineux ready within the wings to be unleashed on the proper time.

Australia was concerned in a record-breaking 781-run mixture ODI in opposition to India. While it underlined the facet’s strengths, it additionally uncovered a sure slowness in adapting to conditions when the going will get powerful. The 2024 T20 World Cup confirmed how a sprightly opposition can poke holes in Australia’s gold-coated cover. The facet will hope to protect in opposition to complacency because it bids for an unimaginable eighth ODI title.

The squad: Alyssa Healy (Capt.), Tahlia McGrath (Vice-capt.), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.

Australia’s fixtures: Oct. 1: New Zealand (Indore); Oct. 4: Sri Lanka (Colombo); Oct. 8: Pakistan (Colombo); Oct. 12: India (Visakhapatnam); Oct. 16: Bangladesh (Visakhapatnam); Oct. 22: England (Indore); Oct. 25: South Africa (Indore).