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The Aussies appear to have hit form
at the right time.
Australia has started to play quite well
after two years of pretty ordinary cricket
in all forms. We [were recently] ranked
sixth in the world in one-day cricket,
which, to me, is embarrassing. But one
big thing we have in our favour is [that]
Australia is good at winning World Cups.
That’s a fact and everyone is aware of it.
Does history play a big part in
this tournament?
Definitely. South Africa have always had
the monkey on their back from when
Herschelle Gibbs dropped Steve Waugh
[in the 1999 tournament]. I have spoken
to [former South Africa captain] Graeme
Smith about it and he says it ate them for
years. They were shot ducks every time
they’d reach the semifinals.
Do you rate England’s chances
as host nation?
England are flappable under pressure in
their own country. If they get rolled a couple
of times or lose their first game, it’s on.
I’m not hugely concerned about them.
What are Australia’s chances
of defending their ICC Cricket
World Cup title?
Fair... Probably a six or seven out of 10 to
win. A lot will depend on how Steve Smith
and David Warner grasp their return to
international cricket. They should have
played those last two games in Dubai
against Pakistan [in March, when the duo
was eligible to return from a 12-month
suspension] to gauge where they’re at.
Instead, they go to the World Cup where
the first game will feature a big crowd and
a lot being thrown in their faces. I hope
they’re ready for how real it’s going to be.
England’s fans won’t let them forget
the ball-tampering scandal.
They are going to cop a fearsome pasting.
There’ll be a lot of pressure from crowds,
media and opposition players. If I was an
opposition player, I’d be absolutely giving
it to them; no over would go past when
I wouldn’t be saying something. If Dave
Warner goes out for a meal, he’s going to
cop it. He has to be ready for that. How
those blokes deal with that headspace
will be crucial for Australia.
They are a very good side, but I reckon
there are a few ghosts in their heads.
Who’s your tip to win it?
India. They have quality batting and
bowling to get the job done under
pressure. They’re a proper side and
they know it. They strut around like
they’re the best thing in the world.
There are also a lot of Indians in
England, so they’ll get good support.
Which other nations will contest
the tournament’s pointy end?
I think four teams, and possibly Australia,
can win it: India, South Africa, New Zealand
and England. New Zealand always like
coming in as the underdog. They have
a competitive streak and often rise to
the occasion. Australia will have to play
well to beat those nations, but when
you’re the Australian cricket team, you
don’t go quietly.
ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP WINNERS
1975 West Indies
1979 West Indies
1983 India
1987 Australia
1992 Pakistan
1996 Sri Lanka
1999 Australia
2003 Australia
2007 Australia
2011 India
2015 Australia
A repeat of Australia’s
2015 victory would hit
the cricket world for six
Foxtel MAY 53