Cup experience gives Aussies an edge

Australia captain Aaron Finch believes the side's World Cup winning experience will give them a distinct advantage when they begin their campaign in England next month.

Finch's men currently sit fifth on the ODI rankings, with tournament hosts England narrowly ahead of India at the top of the pile.

But Australia, who left for the United Kingdom via Gallipoli on Friday night, are fresh off series wins in India and the UAE and boast something no other team can - six players who know how to win a World Cup.

Finch, David Warner, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell were all part of the squad that won it four years ago at the MCG.

They could've had a seventh too, with Josh Hazlewood (back) left on the periphery as he only just returns to 100 per cent fitness ahead of August's Ashes campaign.

India are the only other team at the tournament boasting World Cup winners in its squad; MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli were part of their 2011 triumph.

Finch thinks it will give his side a leg-up ahead of a campaign that will stretch 11 games if they are to defend their title.

"It's a big advantage, just knowing what it takes to win a World Cup, what it takes to manage your way through a World Cup campaign, which can be difficult at times," he said.

"You have to be at your best at the business end but can't afford to let anything slip at the start.

"It comes down to managing that really well ... with six guys that have been there and done that will give a lot of experience to others as well."

Finch has been buoyed by the form of fit-again Starc, who wreaked havoc as player of the tournament four years ago.

And he said there was an element of relief to be departing as Steve Smith and David Warner return from 12-month bans stemming from the Cape Town dramas.

"When you talk so much about it, when it finally happens it's a relief to be looking forward as opposed to everything being questioned and the unknown," he said.

"Everyone's together, everyone's getting on great, the boys are pumped to get to Gallipoli then get to UK and really ramp up World Cup preparations.

"It literally is the time of your life." 

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

May 22: (warm-up) Australia v West Indies, Southampton

May 25: (warm-up) England v Australia, Southampton

May 27: (warm-up) Australia v Sri Lanka, Southampton

June 1: Afghanistan v Australia, Bristol (D/N)

June 6: Australia v West Indies, Trent Bridge

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

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

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