Cricket World Cup 2023: 'Underestimated Australia are becoming dangerous prospect'

An underestimated Australia is a dangerous prospect.

Few gave Pat Cummins' side much consideration when discussing the World Cup's potential winners in the build-up, with focus mainly on hosts India and reigning champions England.

Heavy defeats to India and South Africa to start their campaign added to the uncertainty.

But as the knockout stage approaches, England are crumbling as Australia soar.

"They're really starting to take shape," former Australia captain Aaron Finch told BBC Sport after the tense five-run victory over New Zealand saw them win their fourth successive game and close in on a semi-final spot.

"It is the confidence that the players have in their own game and each other's game.

"And when you look at the players not in the Australia XI at the minute there's some serious power in Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green who could potentially come back into that middle order."

• World Cup Daily: Are Australia World Cup contenders?

Australia had a tough start with those back-to-back losses but have since thrashed Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the Netherlands before Saturday's much closer encounter.

Three dominant wins, and with confidence to take from winning a last-over thriller, sees them peaking just at the right time.

Opener David Warner has two centuries to his name, Travis Head scored a 59-ball century in his first game back from a broken hand, and Glenn Maxwell hit the World Cup's fastest century against the Netherlands.

And from a bowling point of view, leg-spinner Adam Zampa is the leading wicker-taker in the tournament, while seamers Josh Hazlewood and Cummins are taking regular wickets and off-spinner Maxwell is proving his worth as a part-time option.

But the one concern that could be exploited is their middle order.

Warner and Head exploded against the Black Caps, scoring 118 in 10 overs, but despite reaching 200-1, the struggles of Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne saw the innings stall.

Marsh formed a solid opening partnership with Warner before Head's return but looked uncertain at three, while Labuschagne and Smith scratched their way to 18 each.

"The ability for the middle order to come together and for that to click is just the missing link at the moment," said Finch.

"There's been a couple of really big platforms for Australia to launch a really big assault towards the back half of innings and they just haven't quite got it right.

"They need a bit of cohesion, they seem a little disjointed at times in the middle.

"Something around 310/320 probably won't cut it against good sides on very good wickets."

Josh Inglis and Cummins led Australia's revival at the death against New Zealand but it is a recurring theme.

Against Pakistan, 245-0 became 367-9, only Maxwell capitalised against the Netherlands and 175-0 became 292-5 against New Zealand.

As the tournament progresses the pitches in India might get slower and more difficult for batting, meaning their approach to bludgeoning in the powerplay may come unstuck - but that could also suit the likes of Smith and Labuschagne, those happier to craft an innings over time.

Finch adds that Australia's poor start may have actually benefitted them: getting the two tough games out of the way early before accelerating.

"It's looking likely India will go through undefeated in the group stage, so you start off with that game and you're automatically on the back foot.

"But they kept that in perspective - they know they didn't play their best cricket.

"They can challenge India, but the top four - which at the moment looks most likely look like South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and India - on their day everyone can beat each other and that's the beauty of it."

Australia have a week until their next game against England on Saturday 4 November.

The break could provide valuable rest or disrupt their momentum, but regardless - write them off at your peril.