The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, this Year’s biggest cricketing tournament, is just a day away.  The 12th edition of Cricket World Cup, is scheduled to begin from May 30 and will run until July 14. This time, a total of ten teams are participating in the ICC’s pinnacle event. The tournament will be played in a round robin format, where the participating teams will face each other, with the top four teams qualifying for the semifinals. If we talk about team Australia, considering their recent form, they are one of the top contenders to lift the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Ahead of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Australia Captain Aaron Finch Says, 'Everyone in Team Wants to Impress Ricky Ponting'.

Australia played the first ever Test match in 1877. As of May 2019, Australia has played 932 ODI matches out of which they have won 566 matches. The Aussies have made a record seven World Cup final appearances in 1975, 1987, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015 out of which they have won the World Cup a five times in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015. Australia Team for ICC World Cup 2019: CA Announces 15-Man Squad, Steve Smith and David Warner Return.

The defending champions will play their first match against Afghanistan on June 1 at the Bristol County Ground. The match will start at 6 PM IST (01:30 PM British Standard Time). In the league stage, Team Australia will play six matches in Day and only three matches in Day and night format. Meanwhile, Aussies will play against India on June 09. The Australian team will play their last game against South Africa at Old Trafford, Manchester. Australia also played two warm-up matches against England and Sri Lanka and won both the matches by handsome margins. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Meet Captains of All 10 Participating Teams.

Australian Team Schedule at ICC Cricket World Cup 2019:

Date and Time (IST) Match Venue
June 01 | 06:00 PM Australia vs Afghanistan County Ground, Bristol
June 06 | 03:00 PM Australia vs West Indies Trent Bridge, Nottingham
June 09| 03:00 PM Australia vs India Kennington Oval, London
June 12 | 03:00 PM Australia vs Pakistan County Ground, Taunton
June 15 | 03:00 PM Australia vs Sri Lanka Kennington Oval, London
June 20 | 03:00 PM Australia vs Bangladesh Trent Bridge, Nottingham
June 25 | 03:00 PM Australia vs England Lord's London
June 29 | 06:00 PM Australia vs New Zealand Lord's London
July 06 | 06:00 PM Australia vs South Africa Old Trafford, Manchester

Australian Cricket World cup Squad - Aaron Finch (captain), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Team Australia have a balanced side and are among the favourites to lift the world cup. The Australian batting is strengthened by the return of Steve Smith and David Warner. Captain Finch along with Warner and Usman Khwaja will man the top order. Meanwhile, Smith will provide strength to the middle order. The presence of Glenn Maxwell will also provide the necessary impetus as a finisher in the side. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Schedule in PDF: Ticket Prices, Dates, Venue Details & Timetable Available for Download Online.

In the bowling department, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will lead the pace attack. Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Kane Richardson also have the capability to trouble the opposition batsmen in the seaming conditions. The spin department is dependent on the experience of Nathan Lyon.

Despite being ranked fifth in the ICC ODI rankings, Australia have peaked at the right time and look confident of defending their crown. The five-time world champions come to the ICC tournament on the back of successive ODI series victories against India and Pakistan.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 29, 2019 03:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).