Aussies hit ominous form with Sri Lanka thrashing

It is a prospect which only six months ago most agreed was impossible: Australia, the holders and winners of five of the 11 World Cups to have taken place, were in no state to retain their crown.

Their one-day international win/ loss record since 2015 remained firmly in the red. England, after all, had beaten them in nine of their previous 10 encounters, including a 5-0 thrashing last summer.

In the past three months, however, Australia have cantered in on a streak of eight consecutive ODI wins. Their authoritative thrashing of Sri Lanka yesterday makes it two from two in their warm-up matches following their victory against England on Saturday. The whispers have been growing for a while and now it is being spoken about in clear, unabashed tones: Australia will make it to the semi-finals and once there, well, it’s Australia, isn’t it?

The match against England was a day for voices to be heard and messages to be sent by a boisterous crowd on Steve Smith and David Warner’s first return to cricket in England since their ball-tampering bans. Yesterday’s warm-up against Sri Lanka, however, was one for reflection, consolidation and working out the finer details of Australia’s World Cup preparation.

Even the crowd acknowledged the futility of booing the naughty boys of world cricket. “I think, to be honest, Warner and Smith will concentrate even more and score more runs,” reflected one English fan about delivering such a reception. “It could have a negative effect for England,” he added wryly.

With no Warner – rested due to soreness in a leg – no English rivalry to fuel the mood and a Sri Lankan side with such low expectations that a win, against anyone, will be billed as a triumphant upset, there was little opportunity for the paltry crowd to test that theory. Smith, after a century two days ago, did not even feel the need for a bat.

Instead, Australia were left to sort through the kind of problems that are good to have. Such as which two will open the batting between a trio of captain Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja (who top-scored with 89) and Warner, leading run-scorer in the recent Indian Premier League.

Then there is the question of whether Shaun Marsh, averaging more than 50 for Australia over the past year, will make the starting XI. That Glenn Maxwell sent down five overs of off-spin and Smith’s legspin was wheeled out suggests Australia will plump for an extra batter and one spinner. Even Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga is offering to help, as he revealed he had been giving Marcus Stoinis tips on executing the slower ball.

Whatever Australia decide, these are the intricate details of a plan which appears to be falling into place at the right time.