Photo: APAn unprecedented ODI series victory over India has proven Australia's World Cup defence is no longer the lost cause it seemed months ago. "We always knew that the plans and the style that we wanted to play are all there, can win us the World Cup, win us big series against great teams. Australia banked their first ODI series win in India since 2009, first overseas ODI series win since 2016, first ODI series win since 2017 and plenty of momentum in their march towards the World Cup. Kohli's star-studded outfit had been widely expected to be England's greatest threat at this year's World Cup but Australia's batsmen and bowlers have both stepped up on the current tour. Australia travel to Dubai on Thursday for a five-match ODI series against Pakistan, which will be the final chance for players to impress before selectors name a 15-man World Cup squad.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 13, 2019 19:52 UTC