Not many who can match this squad!
ALL the controversy over pay and potential player strikes has dominated Australia’s build-up to the Champions Trophy but a quick glance at their squad shows exactly why they are second favourites with the bookies.
David Warner and Steve Smith are probably the best one-two punch in the one-day game, and the quartet of fast bowlers look primed for English conditions.
Given the competition for places between Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson, nets have been fiery, although it was a local net bowler who felled Glenn Maxwell on Wednesday.
After a couple of warm-up games against Sri Lanka today at the Oval, and Pakistan at Edgbaston on Monday, Australia’s campaign proper begins with a rematch of the last World Cup final against New Zealand in Birmingham.
The Australian selectors have a number of options to open alongside Warner, with Chris Lynn and Aaron Finch probably the two favourites.
But Travis Head enjoyed success at the top of the order earlier this year and will be keen to push his case with a strong showing in the warm-ups.
“I’m hopeful, I finished well at the end of the Australian summer... this is my first time at a big tournament and I am looking forward to it,” explained Head.
“I feel my game is suited to batting anywhere from one to six. It’s just a case of getting the opportunity and doing my best to stay in the team.
“I’ve been pretty consistent since I started and that is all you can ask for.
“I wanted to get that big score out of the way. If I can keep doing that and playing good cricket then I will keep my place in the team.”
That firepower at the top of the order will certainly help the Australian cause – Lynn, in particular, is a real threat every time he bats.
In English conditions, Bangladesh start as the outsiders in the group, but hosts England and the Black Caps will ensure the battle for a semi-final spot is hotly contested.
The most intriguing selection decision will certainly be whether all four quicks make it into the team.
Injuries have affected each player in recent seasons, so Aussie coach Darren Lehmann finds himself in the unusual position of having them all at his disposal.
Starc, the unquestioned leader of the bunch, has already backed the quartet to cause opposing batsmen plenty of problems.
“We’ve had our issues with injury but Patty’s (James Pattinson) only just turned 24 – I’m 27 and I’m the oldest – so we’ve still got plenty of time to wreak havoc on batsmen around the world,” Starc said.
“Hopefully that starts with the Champions Trophy and then onwards to the Ashes later in the year.
“We’ve sort of grown up and come through the ranks together, but haven’t had the chance to be in the same squad together.
“I think it’s an exciting time for the four of us and for Australian cricket, too.”
If all four are included, it will certainly hurt the balance of the team, but at their best they could be devastating.
The most crucial will be Starc, on the comeback trail from a foot fracture that was diagnosed on the tour to India in March.
When fully fit, he is about as dangerous a fast bowler as there is in the one-day game but his white ball record in England is patchy so far.
Australia have every reason to believe that is simply an anomaly, and if Starc is on form and the batsmen perform as most expect, then a record third Champions Trophy is very much on the cards.