Australia Can Win the ICC World Cup 2019 - Dean Jones

Former Australian batsman Dean Jones believes Australia can go on to win the ICC World Cup 2019. Australia is currently ranked sixth in the ICC ODI Rankings and they would need to be at the top of their game in the upcoming World Cup. In fact, Australia has won the World Cup on five occasions. Thus, it would be a mistake to rule them out of contention.

They have big players in their ranks and the return of David Warner and Steven Smith will add solidarity to the Australian team. Dean Jones also gave the reference to the 1987 World Cup in which Australia was the worst ranked team. However, they went on to win the 1987 World Cup for the first time.

Australia needs to believe they can win.

Dean Jones believes Australia will need to have the belief that they can go all the way in the World Cup.

“We have to firmly believe we can win,” Jones wrote in a column for The Age. “And that’s the kicker. Belief is everything to winning World Cups. The right attitude is that no matter what the opposition has in store for us, we have an answer.”

Australia was the worst ranked team in 1987!!! And who won then? ? https://t.co/uD7yfumltn

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) February 19, 2019

Meanwhile, Dean Jones believes Australia’s top order should be instrumental in the success of the team. Australia’s top order of Steven Smith, David Warner, Shaun Marsh, and Aaron Finch can get the job done for the World Cup.

“Our best option (for the top-order) is Aaron Finch, David Warner, Shaun Marsh and Steve Smith. These four men can win games off their own bat,” Dean Jones said.

Australia’s blend of youth and experience can go all the way in the World Cup. Aaron Finch-led side has a potent pace battery in Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. However, the pace trio hasn’t played a lot of white ball cricket in the recent past. Meanwhile, Pat Cummins is going to tour India for five-match ODI series.

On the other hand, David Warner and Steven Smith are permitted to return to the game on 29th March during the ODI series against Pakistan in UAE. Furthermore, the appointment of Ricky Ponting as the assistant coach is going to add a shot in the arm.