Chappell rates Australia among joint-favourites

Published April 9, 2019
Former Australian captain Ian Chappell believes his country’s recent revival and the impending return of Steve Smith and David Warner ensures they are ‘joint-favourites’ to win this summer’s World Cup. — AP/File
Former Australian captain Ian Chappell believes his country’s recent revival and the impending return of Steve Smith and David Warner ensures they are ‘joint-favourites’ to win this summer’s World Cup. — AP/File

MUMBAI: Former Australian captain Ian Chappell believes his country’s recent revival and the impending return of Steve Smith and David Warner ensures they are ‘joint-favourites’ to win this summer’s World Cup.

Australia endured a dismal year on and off the field following the ball-tampering scandal that resulted in 12-month bans for former captain Smith and opening batsman Warner.

But Aaron Finch’s side fought back from 2-0 down to beat Virat Kohli’s India last month, before thrashing a depleted Pakistan side 5-0 away from home.

In an interview with Mid-Day, Chappell — who captained Australia to the final of the inaugural World Cup in 1975 — said: “Australia have completed a remarkable resurgence. Transforming from a struggling ODI side to beat the highly ranked Indian team and follow that with a comprehensive series win over Pakistan in their home territory.

“The India victory was even more remarkable given they were away and trailed the series 2-0. And Australia were missing four of their top players — two from suspension and an injured pair.

“Australia’s spirited revival, plus the impending return of star players, now has them on an equal footing with India and England as joint-favourites to win the World Cup.”

A number of current and former players have rated England and India as the two stand-out teams ahead of this summer’s competition.

But James Anderson, England’s record wicket-taker in Test cricket, believes all 10 teams competing in the World Cup are capable of reaching the semi-finals.

“‘I’d be really disappointed if England don’t make the semis,” Anderson said. ‘Before the one-day series against the West Indies my head was nailed on and thinking ‘we’re definitely winning it. But then 2-2 against the West Indies, I know slightly different conditions, but it just showed the West Indies, who had to qualify for the World Cup, are still a threat.

“So in my head now, there are 10 teams that can potentially get into the semi-finals, you can’t take anyone for granted. It’s wide open but I’m still hopeful that England can go all the way.”

Published in Dawn, April 09th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Desperate measures
Updated 27 Dec, 2024

Desperate measures

Sadly in Pakistan, street protests and sit-ins have become the only resort to catch the attention of a callous power elite.
Economic outlook
27 Dec, 2024

Economic outlook

THE post-pandemic years, marked by extreme volatility in the global oil and commodity markets as well as slowing...
Cricket and visas
27 Dec, 2024

Cricket and visas

PAKISTAN has asserted that delay in the announcement of the schedule of next year’s Champions Trophy will not...
Afghan strikes
Updated 26 Dec, 2024

Afghan strikes

The military option has been employed by the govt apparently to signal its unhappiness over the state of affairs with Afghanistan.
Revamping tax policy
26 Dec, 2024

Revamping tax policy

THE tax bureaucracy appears to have convinced the government that it can boost revenues simply by taking harsher...
Betraying women voters
26 Dec, 2024

Betraying women voters

THE ECP’s recent pledge to eliminate the gender gap among voters falls flat in the face of troubling revelations...