Never write off the Aussies: Gillespie

Former Test and ODI fast bowler Jason Gillespie has delivered a strong message to Australia's critics - write them off at your peril.

Less than 12 months out from their World Cup defence, Australia have slipped to sixth in the ICC one-day rankings - their lowest point in more than three decades - following their 0-5 series loss to England this month.

Missing six first-choice players due to injury or suspension, the Australians suffered their first five-game series whitewash against England and have now won just two of their past 18 completed matches.

But Gillespie, who was forced to withdraw partway through Australia's triumphant 2003 Cup campaign due to injury, said it would be folly to think the five-time World Cup champions can't win the tournament again next year.

"Everyone is taking pot shots at Australia at the moment," he told Talk Sport radio. "But mark my words, come the World Cup I think we're going to surprise a few people.

"Everyone is talking up England and England deserve to be talked up because they're playing wonderful cricket.

"England deserve to be favourites, but do not write off Australia. I'm still backing them to win the tournament. I think they can do it and I think they can surprise a few people.

"People would have seen them this tour and everyone will just be laughing and shouting me down ... but mark my words, never write off the Aussies. We're going to be coming hard so look out."

While Justin Langer's side were severely undermanned in England, their slide down the rankings began long before the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner and their injured trio of star fast bowlers were out of the side.

Gillespie acknowledged the absence of big-name players hurt the Aussies in their winless campaign, and that the tour offered a chance to experiment with some newer players, he said several mistakes were made at selection.

Among them, he said, was the decision to trial Aaron Finch in the middle order and leaving Test spinner Nathan Lyon out of the first three games of the series. He also called for young wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey to be backed to succeed in the top three of the batting order going forward.

And the 43-year-old believes Australia's schedule gives them time to turn their fortunes around, despite their Cup opener against Afghanistan being just 11 months away.

The Australians are scheduled to play another 16 ODIs before the first ball is bowled in the 2019 World Cup, which would give Langer a total of 21 matches in charge to work his magic.

Australia's schedule includes three ODIs against South Africa and three against India on home soil this summer, before two five-match one-day series that are pencilled in for early next year – away series against India, and Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

In addition to the domestic JLT One-Day Cup, where aspiring players will be presented with an opportunity to push their claims while Test stars are in the UAE to face Pakistan, the country’s best players will also be exposed to Australia’s T20I schedule, with an upcoming tri-series against Pakistan and Zimbabwe, and T20s against South Africa and India slated for the home summer.

Smith and Warner, meanwhile, will likely have a strictly white-ball diet leading into the tournament through various domestic tournaments worldwide, climaxing with the IPL next April-May.

"If (they) come back in, all of a sudden you've got 800 games of experience again and we've got a lot more experienced team,” Langer said on Wednesday.

"And if some of these young guys who are gaining some experience here, or the guys who have taken it up – Shaun Marsh in the one-day series, he scored two hundreds. Ashton Agar has been really good with the ball and shown a lot with the bat. Billy Stanlake has had some good games.

"If we can get some of those guys learning and growing and if some of the other guys are available, who knows what could happen in 12 months' time?"

Qantas Tour of Zimbabwe

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth

Pakistan squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Usman Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sahibzada Farhan.

Zimbabwe squad: Cephas Zhuwao, Chamu Chibhabha, Brian Chari, Tarisai Musakanda, Malcolm Waller, PJ Moor, Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Mpofu, Ryan Burl, Solomon Mire, Hamilton Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Ryan Murray

July 1: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

July 2: Pakistan vs Australia

July 3: Australia vs Zimbabwe

July 4: Zimbabwe vs Pakistan

July 5: Pakistan vs Australia

July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe

July 8: Final