Australian Previews

Given that they are bracketed in what most analysts believe is the easier of the two qualifying groups (Group B), it seems eminently reasonable to predict that Australia's cricketers should not encounter too many difficulties in their attempts to reach at least the Super Six stage of the 1999 World Cup competition. For as strong as they look on paper, however, the new format of this tournament, the notion that Pakistan, West Indies and New Zealand are likely to exert significant pressure upon them in their early fixtures, and the fact that they have only just completed a gruelling tour of the Caribbean, all mean that it is also prudent to remain wary of making too many rash statements about exactly how they will fare.

In many ways, the World Cup will represent the ultimate test of the courageous decision taken eighteen months ago by the Australian selection panel to develop a 'specialist' one day team containing markedly different personnel from the nation's Test lineup. Although they endured much initial consternation and criticism from fans across their country, it must be said that the stand taken by the selectors has so far proved to be a sensible realisation that tactical innovations made elsewhere in the cricketing world had seen their team lose its edge in the one day international arena.

With enthusiasm and with a greater sense of flair and imagination subsequently evident in their play, the Australians have adroitly worked their way back toward the summit of world one day cricket - and this tournament clearly gives them the opportunity to confirm that status in the most authoritative possible manner. Other than their lack of a top-class allrounder and the occasional passivity of their captain, the Australians have improved their structure to such an extent that they no longer seem to have any obvious weaknesses, for their batting currently contains as much depth as it has probably ever done in this form of the game; their bowling (whilst possibly not as strong as that of some of their rivals) is brilliantly led by Glenn McGrath; and their fielding is generally sharp.

It is these qualities which have consistently been at the heart of their play throughout recent series and which they and their supporters will now be hoping manifest themselves in their key matches in this event - the most immediate of which arise on May 20 and May 23 respectively when they meet New Zealand at Cardiff and Pakistan at Headingley in the space of four days. With the haunting memory of their bitter defeat to Sri Lanka in the 1996 World Cup Final still etched firmly in their minds (and with many of the members of their squad participating in a World Cup for the last time), there should certainly be no shortage of incentive for them to ensure that they play to their very best.

Players to watch: Among a talented and balanced squad (and one, significantly, that embodies a wealth of experience in English conditions), enigmatic leg spinner Shane Warne shapes as Australia's key player and the individual whose performances are likely to have the greatest bearing on the team's fortunes. Although he has been struggling desperately at Test level since his celebrated recent return to international cricket from shoulder surgery, Warne's form as a bowler (and even, at times, as a captain) in recent one day international series in Australia and in the Caribbean has been encouraging and it seems that it will be his ability to provide support to Glenn McGrath which will be crucial in determining the extent to which the Australians will be able to restrict the capacity of their opponents to make winning scores. Watch also for the two audacious and powerful left handed batsmen, Adam Gilchrist and Darren Lehmann (who have become the torchbearers of Australia's new look approach to one day cricket) and for the skill and speed of Ricky Ponting in the field.

Australian Previews

London - If you are looking for a side whose ego is as about as big as the island continent they come from look no further than the Australians. With their chest puffed out, Steve Waugh's men are already claiming they are the World Cup winners.

No other team exists. Not even the West Indies with whom they levelled the last limited-overs series. As for South Africa, pre-tournament favourites at 5/2, well, Waugh, Shane Warne and the rest of the side have just that much extra.

Flair, confidence and the sort of pizzaz which makes them players with plenty of big match temperament is what is needed to land the big one.

It may sound like a lot of cavalier bravado, but it is how the Wizards of Oz see themselves: the next World Cup champions.

"We just here to collect our prize," said a lone Australian supporter amid a sea of South Africans at soggy Hove a few days ago.

So, why had he come to watch the South Africans?

"Catch a bit of British sun," he grinned as the match was about to be abandoned after incessant drizzle washed out the first of the three warm-up games, which is a bit of cheek you will agree. As he was heading for Cardiff and Australia's opening match against Glamorgan there should have been no qualms at all. Rain wrecked that one after 10 overs more than South Africa managed to get in at Hove.

It is this attitude, however, which is the backbone of Australia's confidence of how they are shrugging off the other "pretenders" to their World Cup throne. Yet behind this self-confidence the Australians are as vulnerable as the other sides. They can be as easily dismissed for a second rate 90 as they can score an accomplished 290.

Perhaps it is an over simplification of the team's strength's and drawbacks: of how players such as Michael Bevan commands as much respect as say Steve or Mark Waugh and the man who is trying to reform, Ricky Ponting.

Australia are as omnipresent in Group B as South Africa are in Group A, but that does not mean they cannot be cut off at the knees; given the chance Pakistan and West Indies can do that amputation with as equal efficiency.

But do not take them lightly either. They are tough cookies and do not take kindly to losing.

Statistics

• Team World Cup Records
• Team One-Day International Records
• Australian Statistics