Cricket: Shadows over Aussie camp

Incumbent test skipper Steven Smith is among the Australia team's stronger assets.

World Cup hopes at risk of disintegration from political undercurrents within team

Australia can be a hard team to like but they're certainly a capable one-day international unit as the world's No1-ranked team.

In theory Australia should win the World Cup. They have a formidable mixture of punishing batsmen (Aaron Finch, David Warner and Steven Smith), venomous bowlers (Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins), handy all-rounders (James Faulkner, Glenn Maxwell and Shane Watson) and cunning pragmatists (Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin).

But try peddling that concept to the All Blacks from 1991-2007.

Australia have won series against the West Indies, South Africa, England and Pakistan in the past two years and dominate the current tri-series against England and India.

Yet there is a sense of vulnerability. In 2013 they lost a series in India and were bundled out of the Champions Trophy in England.

India were also their nemesis in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup.

Australia's World Cup pedigree should be the antidote to any doubts but they were favourites in 1992 at home before New Zealand stunted their ambitions in the first game.

In essence their chances swing on the fulcrum of leadership. This is paramount as to whether they channel their energy effectively.

If Michael Clarke recovers from his hamstring surgery for the World Cup, do they believe in him as captain? Or would they prefer to track through the tournament under George Bailey with lieutenants such as incumbent test skipper Steven Smith and Brad Haddin keeping the house in order?

Much has been made of this in the Australian media and such stories don't happen by accident.

While quotes aren't attributed, the stories are likely to be thoroughly sourced.

Clarke is already at odds with the selectors and members of Cricket Australia management over a disputed return deadline (he thought it was March 4, Cricket Australia confirmed it was February 21). Clarke risks losing the dressing room, too.

Such a political undercurrent can rankle the best teams or, in a perverse way, it can unite in a we-versus-the-world mindset.

The other area Australia need to control is their discipline.

Cricket is at its worst when good banter and competitive ribbing morphs into bad sledging.

There was some undisguised spite in the Indian test series.

That sort of carry-on might be cloaked in PR-savvy phrases like "mental disintegration" and "psychological aggression" to excuse personal abuse.

However, the smirks of pack-congratulation can disappear fast when matters deteriorate - a bit like the bonhomie between rats in a barrel when the barbaric practice of rodent cannibalism is employed.

It can affect cricket teams too.

Australia

One-day international ranking:

First

World Cup record:

1975

Runners-up vs West Indies

1979

First round

1983

First round

1987

Winners vs England

1992

First round

1996

Runners-up vs Sri Lanka

1999

Winners vs Pakistan

2003

Winners vs India

2007

Winners vs Sri Lanka

2011

Quarter-finals vs India

Captain: Michael Clarke ( TBC).

Stars: Clarke, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson

Watch out for: James Faulkner - has enjoyed an extraordinary start to his 37-match career, including a second innings average of 109.50. His 49 wickets - he gets one every 35 balls - complements an all-round picture.

Strengths: Aggression. Can put excruciating pressure on opponents with a brand of psychology which ancestor Steve Waugh would have called "mental disintegration".

Weaknesses: Aggression. Any number of culprits in this line-up are capable of losing their discipline and treating the spirit of the game with scant regard.
Nemesis: Hard to find one. They are the chief predator in cricket's food chain. Let's say "England" for rivalry's sake.

TAB odds: $3.25.

Squad: Michael Clarke (c), George Bailey, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson.