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    "id": "6838",
    "author": "13",
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    "title": "Australia top contenders on home soil",
    "lang": "en",
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    "cup_year": "2015",
    "article_type": "General",
    "excerpt": "Australia's rich pedigree of being the most successful team at the World Cup with four titles make",
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    "editor1": "<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Adelaide, Feb 4 (IANS) Australia&#39;s rich pedigree of being the most successful team at the World Cup with four titles makes them a strong contender to reclaim cricket&#39;s showpiece trophy on home soil.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">They failed to qualify for the knock-out phase in 1992, when they co-hosted the event with New Zealand for the first time, and are under pressure to win on their home pitches, starting Feb 14.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">But, since the trans-Tasman neighbours first co-hosted the event, the situation has transformed massively for Australia.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">They have built up a reputation of near invincibility at home, backed by ruthless form of formidable teams under the leadership of several strong individuals.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Their supreme technical skills and superior confidence have enthused an aura that few teams in world cricket have been successful in dismantling.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">They have maintained that stronghold over the years, barring occasional hiccups, and enter the quadrennial competition as the World&#39;s No.1 One-Day International (ODI) team.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Handling the considerable pressure of playing at home infront of an expectant crowd could be the key to their chances of winning.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Darren Lehmann&rsquo;s side maintained its position at the top of the ODI team rankings following its undefeated performance in the tri-series against England and India recently.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">While Australia&#39;s on-field form might not be much of a botheration, it is their composition away from it that has been a source of constant scrutiny.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Their build-up to this edition has been similar to their preparation in the 2011 version of the tournament in India, when then captain Ricky Ponting&#39;s leadership was under constant speculation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">The co-hosts have been distracted by reports of a rift between injured regular captain Michael Clarke, his teammates and the country&#39;s cricket governing body - Cricket Australia (CA).<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Recovering from a hamstring surgery, Clarke has been given a deadline by the selectors to be fit in time for the team&#39;s second group match against Bangladesh Feb 21.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">But experts have questioned his place in a batting line-up already loaded with dazzling stroke-makers.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">To add to the confusion, vice-captain George Bailey, who took over the captaincy reins in the tri-series due to Clarke&#39;s absence is under pressure to keep his spot in the starting XI.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">The rise and rise of Steven Smith, as a worthy successor to Clarke both as a dependable middle-order match-winning batsman and skipper, have jeopardised the combined position of Bailey and Clarke in the team.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Still being the experienced campaigner, Clarke is viewed as the man to lead the team to home glory. CA hopes Clarke remains fit for the exhaustive competition, particularly after a gruelling season, since he has been regularly troubled by a dodgy back and a sore pair of hamstring.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">The team at his disposal is, certainly, not short on firepower, boasting of an explosive batting line-up.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Their apparent weakness on turning pitches apart, the presence of fearless power-hitters David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell keep them well-placed to post 300 runs on a regular basis if one or two of them fire consistently.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Though unlikely to be troubled by turning pitches at home, it is their crumbling fitness that poses a realistic threat of ruining their ambitions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Apart from Clarke, the casualty list includes recovering all-rounder Mitchell Marsh. Pacers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Johnson are also dealing with health complaints.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Though all are expected to declare themselves fit, but it is their penchant to break down that would keep the team management on tenterhooks.&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"font-size:14px;\"><span style=\"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">Australia have, time and again, showed they have the depth and temperament to wriggle themeselves out of seemingly tough positions but losing match-winners in the form of a Clarke or a Johnson, specifically before knock-out matches, would be a severe blow to their optimism.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\r\n",
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    "created": "2015-02-06 05:51:00",
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