Australia are having a tough time in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India. The five-time champions lost to hosts India by six wickets in their tournament opener at Chepauk, while they suffered a crushing 134-run defeat at the hands of South Africa in Lucknow.
As a result, the Pat Cummins-led side has been compelled to approach the remaining league matches as knockout fixtures. In order to qualify for the semifinals, the Men in Yellow need to secure victories in at least six of their remaining seven games.
However, skipper Cummins remains composed and is not rushing to make drastic decisions just yet.
"Looking back at 2019, India and South Africa were the two teams that we lost to in the round games there. In the last year, they're kind of the two teams that we've had the most trouble against.
"So, the opportunity now is we've got some teams we haven't played for a while that we've had a lot of success against and be really confident when we go out there," Cummins said on the eve of the match against Sri Lanka in Lucknow.
The Aussies are struggling in the 50-over format lately. They entered the marquee event on the back of away ODI series losses to India and South Africa.
"Not an ideal start at all. Everyone's desperate to turn it around. We're obviously 0-2, so we've got to start winning and start winning quick. Every game now becomes almost like a final. You've got to win just about all of them."
Inarguably the most successful team in the history of World Cup, Australia have failed to produce the brand of cricket they are known for in the ongoing quadrennial event.
"No doubt we haven't been up to the standard that we like to hold. We've been off the mark and been outplayed both games. When we're at our best, we're putting big runs on the board. We're putting the pressure back into the opposition.
"Us bowlers are taking wickets through the middle. So, we haven't been able to pull any of that together so far. So yeah, we know what makes us a really good team.
"Again, it wasn't that long ago. We're number one in the world. So, we don't have to look back too far to work out when we're playing our best," Cummins stated.
The Australian squad is studded with all-rounders like Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell.
Asked if it is the lack of role clarity that is hurting the team, Cummins said: "No, I don't think so. The good thing and the luxury we have with the all-rounders is they all make it into the team on the back of their primary skill, which for most of them is batting.”
"And it's fortunate we've got guys like Stoinis and Maxwell and Marsh that can provide overs and do it really well. "There's certainly sometimes - some teams I've played in where you've got to try and fit in all-rounders that might not make the top seven batters or the top four bowlers, but we're in a really good place," he further remarked.
(With PTI Inputs)
