Australia chart Lord’s path to glory
PAINE SAYS TEAM INSPIRED BY ‘DREAM’ OF WORLD CUP FINAL
Australia captain Tim Paine believes training at Lord’s has fuelled the team’s “dream” of appearing in next year’s World Cup final at the ‘home of cricket’.
The reigning world champions have been at Lord’s this week ahead of a One Day International series against England.
The five-match series, which gets under way across London at The Oval on June 13, will mark the first time Australia have been in international action since March’s ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.
The fallout from one of the most humiliating episodes in Australian cricket history led to year-long bans for former captain Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner, as well as a ninemonth suspension for batsman Cameron Bancroft.
Darren Lehmann subsequently resigned as team coach, with Justin Langer succeeding his former Australia teammate.
It was at Lord’s where the now 33-year-old Paine made his Test debut in a ‘neutral’ match against Pakistan in 2010.
“I haven’t been here for about eight or nine years but one of the first things we [the squad] did was a slow lap together and let it all sink in, the history and tradition,” Paine told reporters at Lord’s on Wednesday.
“We also talked about the World Cup final here in 12 months’ time as a dream for our guys to work to,” the wicketkeeper explained.
But Australia, who won the 1999 World Cup final at Lord’s, may need to improve their ODI form if they are to reach next year’s showpiece match and be crowned champions for a record-extending sixth time.
Rankings slide
England, who beat Australia 4-1 in an ODI series Down Under earlier this year, are currently top of the 50-over rankings, with Langer’s side fifth.
Meanwhile Paine, who took over as captain in South Africa, said Australia were prepared for taunts from English crowds following the ball-tampering scandal. “We expect that when we come to England all the time,” he said ahead of yesterday’s tour-opener against a Sussex side coached by former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie.
“We cop a little bit of ribbing and this time we come with a bit more of a reason for them to do it,” Paine added.