The world champions head into the tournament looking to do the 50 over double with victory in this event and it would be foolish to write them off in these conditions. For an entire generation Australia have been very competent in the 50 over game and that confidence should serve them well in this renewal.
Stats
Best Finish: Winners 2006 & 2009
Captain: Steve Smith
Key Players: Dave Warner & Mitchell Starc
Tournament Odds: 10/3 BetVictor
Group A Odds: 6/4 BetVictor
Fixtures
Fri June 2: vs New Zealand at Edgbaston
Mon June 5: vs Bangladesh at The Oval (day/night)
Sat June 10: vs England at Edgbaston
Squad
Steven Smith (c), David Warner, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa
Strengths
The artillery of pace men at the disposal of Steve Smith in this tournament is really strong. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson can all crank it up to well over 90mph and even in good batting conditions that can be dangerous. When you mix in the relentless line and length of Josh Hazlewood with that you have a very strong bowling attack.
Weakness
There isn’t a major weakness in this Australian side but if there is one it could be in their lower order. Their top six are all major players who can all win matches on their own but beyond that their batting can run out a bit too quickly and if they need eight an over with five or six wickets down they may not be as reliable as others when it comes to chasing it.
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Betting
I’ve already backed Aaron Finch to be the leading batsman in the tournament and I’m going to stick with that as far as the batting goes for Australia but there is one I like in the bowling market.
Mitchell Starc is returning from injury in this series having missed the Indian Premier League but I’m prepared to go with him as there is no time to rest players in this tournament. Starc averages two wickets a match in this format of the game and you have to go back 14 ODIs for the last time he went wicket-less.
Starc will open the bowling and he’ll return at the death so he will be running in when the wickets are at their cheapest and that makes him the pick here even at 9/4.
Tips
Back M.Starc Top Australia Tournament Bowler for a 3/10 stake at 3.25 with Ladbrokes
Back him here:
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