Australia have been solid in Cricket World Cup history. They have won the coveted title on five occasions. The defending champions go into the ICC World Cup 2019 as the most successful team in the coveted tourney. The Aussies are a different breed when it comes to World Cup cricket. This time as well, one expects the side to give its best and come out with flying colours.
Australia have peaked well in 2019 and are on a fine win of form. Having said that, the return of Steve Smith and David Warner have bolstered the side. Australia will be aiming to make it to the semi-finals in the 10-team tournament that started off on Thursday. Australia know how to win World Cups and they also are two-time runner-up in the tournament – 1975 & 1996.
The Men in Yellow have won the trophy a record five times – 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 & 2015. Out of a total of 84 matches played in the World Cups, the Australians have won a staggering 62 and lost only 20 matches. Their win percentage of 75.3% is the best among all the teams who have featured in the biggest cricket carnival.
Here we look at Australia’s performances and the players that have helped them achieve so much glory.
Past Performances
The Aussies have crashed out of the group stage on two occasions (1979 and 1983). Kim Hughes was the captain of the side on both occasions. They finished third in both the editions in the group stage to bow out.
In the 1992 World Cup, Australia faced a shock exit from round-robin stage. The side under Allan Border could not repeat the heroics of 1987. They finished fifth that year in the league stage.
Australia crashed out of the quarter-finals in 2011. MS Dhoni’s India downed Ricky Ponting’s side in Mohali in a cracking affair. Â The Aussies have been runners-up twice (1975 and 1996). In the inaugural year, Clive Lloyd’s West Indies got the better of them. Then in 1996, Arjuna Ranatunga-led Sri Lanka beat the side led by Mark Taylor.
They are the most successful team as well and the trophy for the first time under Border’s leadership in 1987. The dominance by Australia was noticed in the years between 1999 to 2007. They won three successive trophies. In 1999, the Aussies thrashed Pakistan under Steve Waugh. And then in 2003 and 2007 they won the tourney pretty convincingly under Ponting. In all these finals, they beat Asian sides.
In 2015, Michael Clarke’s side won the title after thrashing New Zealand. It was a solid comeback for the best side in ODIs.
Australia’s highest and lowest totals
Australia’s highest ever innings score in the World Cup came in 2015, when they amassed 417/6 against Afghanistan. Interestingly, it is also the highest score in the World Cup. They achieved the same in Perth. David Warner fired a breezy 178 to help the side amass a big total. Mitchell Johnson (4/22) then wrecked havoc with the ball to dismiss Afghanistan for 142.
Their lowest total came against India at Chelmsford in 1983 (129). India managed a decent 247 with Yashpal Sharma top-scoring with a knock of 40. In reply, Aussies were bowled out for 123.
Ponting the hero for Australia in World Cup cricket
Australian star batsman and legend Ricky Ponting amassed 1,743 runs for the side in the World Cup. That’s the most by an Australian batsman in the history of the game. It is also the second highest runs by any player in the World Cup. Ponting featured in five World Cups from 1996-2011. Regarded as one of the GOAT, Punter dominated the show in the mega event.
He smashed five hundreds and six half-centuries. His century numbers is the most by an Australian player in the World Cup. Punter led the side to two World Cup wins in 2003 and 2007. He is regarded as the best ever ODI captain till date. The legend was a real deal on the field and hardly set a foot wrong. His aggression, style and composure gave Australia the impetus.
Ponting has the most number of sixes hit by an Australian player in the World Cup (38). He also holds the joint-record for hitting the most sixes in an innings by an Australian. He smashed eight against India in 2003 and then Adam Gilchrist notched the same against Sri Lanka in 2007.
Ponting has been a true inspiration for one and all. He led by example in the field as well. He leads the show for the most number of catches by an outfielder in the World Cup (28). 11Â catches taken by Ponting in the 2003 World Cup is the most number of catches taken by an Australian player in a single edition of the World Cup.
Ponting also holds the record for the joint-most catches in a single match for Australia (3).
Other batting records
Warner’s 178 against Afganistan in 2015 is the highest individual score by an Australian player in the World Cup. Australia batsmen have accounted for a total of 26 tons in the CWC. Adam Gilchrist and Michael Clarke have hit eight fifties each and that’s the most number of half-centuries scored by an Australian player in the World Cup.
Matthew Hayden amassed 659 runs in the 2007 World Cup. This is still the most number of runs scored by an Australian player in a single edition of the World Cup.
McGrath was a shining figure with the ball
Just like Australia had Ponting with the bat, they looked up to Glenn McGrath with the ball. The pacer was one of the best in business and conquered both Tests and ODIs. McGrath dominated the show in World Cups and ended up with 71 scalps. That’s the most by a bowler in the event and for Australia.
McGrath averaged a commanding 18.19 with the ball. He featured in 39 games between 1996-2007. He won three World Cups and shares the record with Ponting. His best figures in a match was 7/15 against Namibia in 2007. He took two five-wicket hauls and gave away runs at under four.
The bowling ace always took the crucial scalps and was a delight in 1999 and 2003 in the finals. He was unstoppable in 2007 and defied age. He picked up 27Â wickets in the 2007 World Cup and that is the most number of wickets taken by an Australian player in a single edition of the World Cup.
The Aussie bowlers have been taken a total of 13 five-wicket hauls in the World Cup. Gary Gilmour and McGrath took two each.
Gilly defined his prowess with the gloves
Adam Gilchrist (52 dismissals) holds the record for the most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in the World Cup. He had accounted for six dismissals against Namibia in 2003. This is the most number of dismissals by an Australian wicket-keeper in an innings in the World Cup.
Gilly accounted for 23 dismissals in the 2003 World Cup. This is the most by an Australian wicket-keeper in a single edition of the World Cup.
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