Cricket World Cup: "It was brutal, but Australia regained its confidence one day"

In recent years, when an Australian men's team was announced, the custom was to make a click-bait: "You will never believe who was chosen!" title to appear.

But it was exactly the opposite for the 15 selected on Monday to defend the World Cup that Australia had claimed four years ago.

It was quite as expected – boring, even, and controversial only for a desperately unlucky couple.

This reflects the fact that the men in yellow canary have, just in time, their number for the tournament, which will begin May 30 and will be held in England and Wales.

Five weeks ago, Australia had 22 defeats in 26 international matches. Then, a great turnaround in India was right of their formidable host 3-2. Then comes Pakistan. The Aaron Finch team has sent them 5-0 in fashion from past generations – not that of an Australian team that has spent 12 months stirring up after the sandpaper saga.

How did it happen?

So, the naughty boys are back?

As expected, Steve Smith and David Warner will be back in the national uniform to help defend the title they won four years ago.

Former Captain Smith will arrive subtly after an elbow operation early in the year and with only half a century in the Indian Premier League up to now.

Although his limited form took a negative turn the year before his ban, his experience – especially at the World Cup, where he played two centuries in 2015 – was enough to guarantee his return.

For Warner, there is no doubt he is too good.

He has surpbaded 50 goals in five of his seven IPL matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season, including a masterful century against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The fact that he has the most singles and two in the competition, as well as the highest number of points in the overall standings, confirms how much he is a much different drummer and better than the one who made his way to the glory a decade ago.

According to Trevor Hohns, president of the selection jury, the couple "knows the environment in which he enters, which is completely different from his departure".

This may be true. But English fans will not let them forget about their last ODI outing for Australia.

Has Australia not been beaten 5-0 in England last summer?

Yes. And it was brutal. Especially the day they conceded a 482 world record in the third ODI at Trent Bridge.

But it should be noted that these were the first matches of all kinds, since they have become a laughing stock in Cape Town.

Just as for a student in procrastination, deadlines encourage action. The approach of the World Cup triggered a revival of activity in early 2019 to find a credible combination. Of course, they have.

Warner's readmission creates a bizarre love triangle at the top of the list after defending candidates Finch and Usman Khawaja dominated the recent winning streak. Finch was under real pressure before winning more points in a five-game ODI series than anyone else.

As for Khawaja, with two tons and five scores between 50 and 98 in India and the United Arab Emirates, he is in the middle of a purple spot close to the one he enjoyed during the summer of 2015-2016 of the south where he would have been the first drummer chosen for the Earth against Mars.

Will this duo be separated to welcome Warner, who paved the way for ODI for 14 centuries? Hohns says it's up to the captain and coach Justin Langer to decide. For Finch, he wants to keep a right / left combination.

That's the very definition of a good problem to have.

What else works?

Based on the available evidence of the recent white ball seasons in England, the team that wins this competition will have to run the ball with enthusiasm.

In the home competition in 2015, Australia used part time timekeeper Glenn Maxwell as the only tweaker. This time, however, he will have Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon as a company.

The Zampa leg spinner took more wickets than any ODI bowler in 2016 before losing his place – and his place – in 2017. An aggressive line and consistent length since his return brought both margins and economics, while the 370 wickets of Lyon for Australia, all sizes suggest that he has experience for pressure situations.

This means that Maxwell, one of Australia's bravest players, can continue to be in shape after winning all three victories in Australia's 2019 white ball series.

He remains a polarizing player, but at age 30, it has never been easier to rely on the promise he has long made.

Who had the misfortune to miss?

In March, in Mohali, where this reversal occurred, Peter Handscomb announced his first ferrule to the ODI while Australia was pursuing 359 while she had not the right to do it. When he fell, Ashton Turner took the torch to 43 out of 84 balls to finish the job.

Neither did the cut, with Smith preferring to badume the role of Handscomb buildup.

The call is doubly confusing because it prevents Australians from using Handscomb as a box office keeper in case Alex Carey – still far from being established with the bat – escapes at the wrong time.

But the selectors ran that risk. Both hands Handscomb and Josh Hazlewood – quickly eliminated from a quick attack on his return from injury – will be in the country with the Australian A team during the tournament. If Carey breaks a finger or a bowler breaks, they could be mobilized.

They will win again, is not it?

Well, they believe they can.

Maybe it will stumble against an attack favorable to the effects. Perhaps they will meet one of the favorites, England or India, who has been preparing for two years.

But trust often makes the difference between boom and bust. Whether it's deserved or not, the Finch team has a lot.

What they can do with it will be an entertaining viewing.