So, have Australia just been playing possum? Have they been lulling the cricket world into a false sense of security with regard to them possibly not being serious contenders for the World Cup trophy. Remember, like they did in 2007, when they got comprehensively clean-swept by New Zealand in a three-match series only weeks out from the tournament – before, of course, marching to their third consecutive title without losing a single match in the Caribbean.

You’d have thought so, based on the many comments on social media alleging this ‘conspiracy’ around the Aussies intentionally flying under the radar at the conclusion of the second ODI against India in Indore last week. It was Australia’s fifth straight loss after all, each one of them more damaging than the last, at least in terms of pure numbers.

Just for the sake of comparison, Australia had lost that famous Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in early 2007 with more or less the same bowling attack that would win them the World Cup. Unlike in the last month or so, when due to injuries and workload, most of the playing XIs that they’ve employed bore no resemblance to the one that will front up at the MA Chidambaram Stadium against India in their tournament opener on Sunday (October 8).

It is completely understandable however, for non-Australian fans, to be wary of these results going into a big event. For, if there’s one cricket nation that is better than any other when it comes to winning major titles, it is Australia. And it’s not surprising that nothing short of lifting the cup constitutes as a fair result for an Australian team at World Cups. No wonder they’ve won it more often than any other team in history.

Aaron Finch’s team had an overall unremarkable campaign four years ago in England, even though they were among the first teams to qualify for the semi-finals. Finch and David Warner in particular were consistent throughout, alongside Alex Carey, while Mitchell Starc put on another World Cup masterclass with the ball.

However, they lacked the ‘team to beat’ aura that Australian teams generally carry during world events. And though this is a new era of Australian ODI cricket under Pat Cummins, nine of the original 15 from England 2019 will still be around in India. That should mean that the overall make-up of the team will not have a very ‘new’ feel to it. Having said that, going in with the tried and tested has historically worked wonders for the Aussies.

This World Cup of course comes at an interesting phase in the present and the future of ODI cricket as a format. And the diminishing interest in it has been as stark in Australia as anywhere else. What was once arguably the most fertile region of the world for 50-over cricket has taken a turn, in keeping with the trend seen everywhere else.

While for decades, the popular tri-series on Channel 9 (during the best part of the year in January and February) was often the marquee event of the Australian cricket summer, these days ODIs are scheduled because they have to be, and with very little buzz or excitement.

The best illustration of this was the three-match series between Australia and England, who had been crowned T20 World Cup champions three days prior to the first game in Adelaide, last year.

This is not to say that Australia winning the World Cup for the sixth time will suddenly regenerate the allure of ODIs in the land Down Under. Nevertheless, them not doing so will only do further harm to the already-stagnating interest in 50-over cricket.

Squad:Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith (vc), Alex Carey (wk), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott

Probable XI:David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Cameron Green/Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

Travis Head’s injury could not have come at a more inconvenient time for the Aussies, as they had tried building the rest of their batting line-up around the South Australian’s belligerence at the top of the order. That they’re comfortable with having him in the squad despite not having access to him for the first few weeks is a testament to his value in the side.

It’s likely then that Mitchell Marsh plays the Head role alongside Warner, allowing Steve Smith to bat at his preferred No 3 spot. The toss-up then, would be between Marnus Labuschagne, who’s in his best ODI form at the moment, and Cameron Green, even though you’d think his all-round abilities would make him a certain starter in an ideal scenario. With Glenn Maxwell slotting in as the second ‘specialist spinner’, according to chief selector George Bailey, the bowling attack should have a predictable look of the three world-class pacers alongside Adam Zampa. Additionally, one would expect Sean Abbott to play a role at some point.

Keep an eye on: Mitchell Marsh

After numerous false starts and innumerable shows of incredible brilliance, the Mitchell Marsh story finally seems to hit a promisingly new phase of steadiness. While he’s been an integral member in Australia’s white-ball setup in the last few years, his Ashes performances earlier this year followed up with his ascendancy to captaincy are great signs for the highly-talented all-rounder.

That he’ll also be available to bowl from the opening game onwards only adds to the significant value he holds in this team. And like with the T20 World Cup in 2021, if Australia have to go all the way in this World Cup, you’d think they’ll need Mitch Marsh to play a starry role.

Marquee Match: versus England at Ahmedabad on November 4

Not just because it’s these two teams. Not just because of the way the Ashes ended. Thankfully, there’ll be no opportunity for there to be a misunderstanding over the teams not having a drink with each other – not at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad anyway. However, apart from the tradition and history involved with this rivalry, there’ll also be the added edge of how England flat-lined Australia in their previous World Cup meeting, the semi-final in Edgbaston, four years ago.

Banana Peel Fixture: versus Sri Lanka at Lucknow on October 16

It’ll be Australia’s third game of the tournament and it’ll come on the back of them having played two teams who they’ve become familiar with in the last month or so. The Sri Lankans ran the Aussies very close at home last year and especially in conditions where their wily spinners will have a say, Cummins & Co will have a challenge on their hands. The likes of Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Charith Asalanka meanwhile had enjoyed the extra pace of the Aussie fast bowlers on the slower pitches, and you write them off at your own peril.