Dubai: Australia, four-time winners of the ICC Cricket World Cup, are one of the natural favourites to win the event. With this edition of the event being held in their own country after two decades, their chances of emerging the winner are even stronger.

The team have been playing exceptionally well, especially in the ongoing Carlton Mid tri-series, having reached the final. History or past records do not often guarantee victory but the team composition and the talent in the team does.

Any team that hopes to emerge as world champions should have a good set of openers. They are supposed to create the platform for a victory through a partnership that can help the rest of the batsmen accelerate the run rate and Australia cannot ask for a better pair than David Warner and Aaron Finch. Warner is undoubtedly one of the finest hitters in the game among the openers in world cricket today. Luckily for them, he is in stupendous form and his recent knock of 127 against England proves that.

Warner’s partner, right-handed Finch, is an equally attacking batsman. With left-handed Warner at the other end, the combination is bound to disturb the line and length of the bowlers.

If by chance this combination fails, walking into bat will be Shane Watson, who has sparkled as one of the finest top-order batsmen. Though, of late, he has not played any great knocks, he averages of 40.57 in One Day Internationals which makes him one of the more consistent batsmen in the game.

The biggest boost for Australia’s chances has been the exceptional form of Steven Smith. To crack six centuries in Test and one-dayers just before the World Cup makes him the jewel in the Australia’s batting line up. Though Australia captain Michael Clarke is still a doubtful starter since tearing his right hamstring during the first Test match against India recently, it will be another boost if he goes through rehabilitation from injury successfully.

To further strengthen their batting is George Bailey, who has time and again proved that he is a batsman who can produce his best if the top order slips. In case the run-rate falls, their next man Glenn Maxwell can prop it up as he has an unbelievable range of strokes.

Brad Haddin, the wicketkeeper, who is getting better with age, is undoubtedly a great explosive batsman down the order.

All these players are being backed by a bunch of all-rounders like James Faulkner and Mitchell Johnson. So Australian batting strength which runs down the order make them a team that can easily score around 300 runs. Above all these they have a bowling strength with pacers in tremendous form led by Johnson and Mitchell Starc with Watson as well as Faulkner. Even for spin they have Xavier Doherty and can even use Finch and Maxwell. The pace of talented young Josh Hazlewood and even all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is also available.

So, in short, Australians are a four time winner roaring from their own den and with one of the finest combinations in the World Cup, it would be a surprise if they don’t emerge the champions again.