Source: Sporting News via Twitter
Australia will be bidding to win the ICC Champions Trophy for the third time when the competition begins in England at the beginning of June.
The Baggy Greens’ have been out of action since their series’ defeat to India in March, but their top talent have been competing in the Indian Premier League, building their form ahead of the tournament.
The Aussies highlighted their class of the one-day game by winning the World Cup in 2015 on home soil, hammering New Zealand in the final. Michael Clarke bowed out on the highest of notes in the shortened format, leading his side to victory by top-scoring with 74 runs.
Steve Smith now faces the challenge of leading Australia forward, although their first foray in a major tournament under his tenure in the WorldTwenty20 ended in a defeat at the Super 10 stage to India.
The Baggy Greens are still considered one of the leading contenders for the crown, despite their struggles in the 20-over format along with their series’ tour defeats to New Zealand and South Africa. They are backed in the latest odds on bet365 at 7/2 to win the ICC Champions Trophy, but with other impressive sides around their challenge will be tougher than their World Cup triumph.
Australia are top heavy with talent, boasting world-class operators in the form of Smith, David Warner and Mitchell Starc. All three players are capable of winning matches single-handed, especially the two batsmen at the top of the order.
Source: ICC via Twitter
Warner has enjoyed the propensity to hand the Baggy Greens’ lightning starts to their innings, with few batsmen in the world being able to match his power and striking ability in all areas of the ground.
The 30-year-old has an excellent average in the mid-40s, aided by the fact he has struck a sensational six centuries in his last 11 one-day innings. He provides the impetus at the top and a fine tournament from start-to-finish could guide Australia towards their third crown.
Smith provides the anchor for his side batting at number three in the order. The 27-year-old has established himself as one of the leading batsmen in the world across all three formats, dominating opposition bowlers. He has added another string to his bow with his exploits in the IPL, adding power to his strong technique that has enabled him to score his mountain of runs at a faster rate.
The pressure will be on Smith to thrive like his predecessor at a major tournament, but he has proven to have the quality and the character to rise to the occasion.
Starc was formidable on home soil two years ago, leading the World Cup wicket column with 22 strikes over the course of the competition. He has developed his game – with the ability to swing the ball both ways and his deadly pace. At the end of the innings the 27-year-old presents even greater value to the Baggy Greens due to his toe-crunching yorker deliveries.
He is now the leader of the attack and will be aiming to establish a legacy by producing another dominant display in a limited-overs competition. Smith will be looking for Starc to fire and lead an inexperienced bowling unit as well as his side to another success.
