Behrendorff keeping feet on the ground

Jason Behrendorff breathed new life into Australia's World Cup campaign, but the new-ball specialist knows he still hasn't secured a guaranteed spot in their XI.

With seven wickets in two games in back-to-back wins against tournament heavyweights England and New Zealand at Lord's, the left-armer may have at least made himself indispensable should Australia return to the home of cricket for the final in two weeks' time.

Coach Justin Langer has stressed the importance of picking the best players for prevailing conditions and specific opponents, moving selection away from the realm of hunches and gut instincts towards a more data-driven approach.

Behrendorff knows that could mean reserve quicks Nathan Coulter-Nile or Kane Richardson come back into contention for their final group game against South Africa and the ensuing finals.

"I've probably not nailed it," said Behrendorff when asked about his spot in the team. "Coults is still a quality bowler, and so is Richo, who could easily come in and play a great role as well.

"Definitely not nailed it, but at least I'm contributing.

"I can't really do much more than that. Every time I go out there, I just try and put my best foot forward and do what I can for the team and if that gets me to play in the next couple of games, then I'd love that."

In a positive sign for the reigning 50-over champions, Behrendroff swung the new ball consistently back into the right-handers at Lord's; no mean feat given the Kookaburra during this tournament has moved about as much as the UK's Brexit negotiations.

"I've started to enjoy this end (the Pavilion End) a bit more," said Behrendorff, who bowled seven overs on the trot against the Black Caps after Aaron Finch switched him from the Nursery End. "Just the run in, you feel a bit more comfortable and the breeze was a little bit more conditional to swing it."

But Mitchell Starc, while lauding Behrendorff's performances since being recalled to face England, said Australia have plenty of options to take the new ball, including fellow ace quick Pat Cummins.

"Whether it's Jase and I, or Pat and I, or Pat and Jase, or Coults and Richo if they come in next game – we have got guys who are ready to go," said Starc

Long earmarked as a bowler of immense promise while battling numerous injuries, Behrendorff is a relative new-comer to the national set-up having played just 16 international limited-overs games since his debut in India in 2017.

The 29-year-old has seen enough however to note that having a settled squad has made all the difference in helping to transform Australia's one-day fortunes after a rotten run of results in bilateral series in the years between the 2015 World Cup and the current event.

As many of the Australians have done, he pinpointed their comeback 3-2 series victory away to India, and the ensuing whitewash over Pakistan in the UAE, as a catalyst.

"It wasn't great for a little while, but we've turned it around quite well," said Behrendorff. "The performance we've had over the last six months in particular, the home series against India was a great start and then to beat India in India was unreal.

"To go 5-0 in Dubai against Pakistan, you can't ask much more than that. The consistency has been really good and we've been able to play some great cricket.

"We're playing cricket for each other now, and that's something that potentially was lacking in the past.

"It's hard when the team chops and changes. We've had that continuity within the group for a little while now, similar guys have been playing the last few series so it makes a difference.

"It's something you've seen with a lot of the good teams over long periods of time – their team doesn't change a huge amount. Guys gel together really well.

"We're really striving to play for each other and win for each other."

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), 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

June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets

June 6: Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs

June 9: Australia lost to India by 36 runs

June 12: Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs

June 15: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs

June 20: Australia beat Bangladesh by 48 runs

June 25: Australia beat England by 64 runs

June 29: Australia beat New Zealand by 86 runs

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE