Waugh tips Warner to prosper in knockout stages

Steve Waugh has declared Australia have enough ammunition to win the World Cup with the fact David Warner is yet to "take the Ferrari for a spin" the most menacing sign for rivals.

Australia sit atop the tournament's standings with four wins and one loss, despite the fact they are yet to find their first-choice XI or play their best cricket.

Warner has been the most curious case.

He's hit 281 runs at 70.25 for the tournament, and is Australia's second leading run-scorer.

He also scored a return century last week against Pakistan, his first since December 2017 and coming back from the 12-month ban from the ball-tampering scandal.

But his strike rate of 76.98 is the slowest of any series in his career where he has scored more than 100 runs.

It's well below the career figure of 95.08 that made him known as one of the world's most damaging batsmen.

"What's daunting for teams yet to face Australia is the notion that Warner hasn't yet taken the Ferrari for a spin on the freeway," Waugh, who captained Australia to World Cup success in 1999, wrote in a column for the ICC.

"He has been idling away in second gear waiting for the right moment to put the foot down.

"Perhaps the semi-finals will be the occasion to test the engine out."

Waugh's comments come after Ricky Ponting claimed Warner's handbrake was now off following his 102-ball century against Pakistan.

Regardless, Warner's runs have made his opening partnership with Aaron Finch a success, with pair having passed 50 in four out of five games.

Finch is the tournament's leading run-scorer on 343, while Mitchell Starc has the equal most wickets with 13.

Australia's biggest test will come over the final two weeks of the round-robin competition though, with matches against likely fellow finalists England and New Zealand.

"Australia have enough ammunition to do this but so do the other contenders. It will be enthralling to watch and I can't wait," Waugh said.

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 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

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

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