Buoyant Langer takes criticism in stride

Australia coach Justin Langer has taken some satisfaction in proving critics of his side's one-day batting strategy wrong in the World Cup so far, while insisting it's "easy being a commentator" as the defending champions look ahead to Tuesday night's blockbuster clash with England.

The reigning World Cup winners have been defeated just once in their opening six games of the tournament, with their top-order leading them to totals over 280 in five of their first six games. They chased down 207 in less than 35 overs in the other.

During their first innings against Bangladesh on Thursday, spin legend Shane Warne questioned Australia's "conservative" batting tactics, the selection of Usman Khawaja over Shaun Marsh and their capability of posting scores over 375.

The Aussies went on to post 5-381, their highest ODI total since the 2015 World Cup, with Khawaja scoring 89 off just 72 balls.

Asked if the criticism frustrated him, Langer offered only: "It's easy being a commentator."

Pressed on whether Australia's success has been satisfying, he said: "It's satisfying, but you can't get complacent.

"What I know is whatever we do, people are going to try and pick holes in it. For example, if Uzzie didn't make any runs the other day, we would have been smashed (by criticism).

"But he did, and no-one says anything. But that's life and that's the business we're in."

The combative Langer did however find it difficult to hide his excitement at his side's upcoming encounter with Ashes rivals England at the traditional home of cricket, Lord's.

The former Test batsman labelled the hosts the World Cup's red-hot favourites leading into the tournament and said nothing had changed despite Eoin Morgan's side slumping to a stunning upset loss to battlers Sri Lanka.

"Look at their team," he said. "Nothing has changed in a week."

But Langer has consistently stressed he doesn't want Australia to emulate England's uber-aggressive batting approach, instead prioritising wickets in hand before attacking at the back-end of their innings.

"We got 381. It's been a long time since we got 381, there's been a lot of critics saying we can't do that," he said.

"I've maintained that the whole time if we stick to our game-plan and the conditions are right, we'll get scores that are enough to win games of cricket.

"We've done that for the last six months or so and we'll hopefully keep doing that.

"We've played some really good games in this tournament without playing our best game still. We've got Davey (Warner) and Aaron Finch making big hundreds up front – exactly what England have been doing for the last few years.

"We've got guys in the middle who are doing well, we've got adaptability in our team which I keep saying is a strength not a weakness.

"It's not just (about) what's clicked the last few games, it's been what's clicked for the last few months and that's exciting for us."

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: 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

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

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