Will Australia blink at Cricket World Cup this week?: The Cricket Pod

In this episode, journalist and broadcaster Brian Murgatroyd reflects on a crucial period for the tournament's biggest teams

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This week on The Cricket Pod, journalist and broadcaster Brian Murgatroyd talks in depth about Australia's upcoming Cricket World Cup matches against England and New Zealand.

With the sport's flagship tournament past the halfway mark and semi-final spots still far from guaranteed, this week's key clashes will almost certainly give the winners a big boost while setting back the losers.

The defending champions will be severely tested. But Murgatroyd, who previously worked as media manager with Cricket Australia, has little doubt they are being well prepared by two of the toughest characters in the game - head coach Justin Langer and batting coach Ricky Ponting, former batting stalwarts he was associated with at a time when Australia were dominating the cricket landscape.

Meanwhile, Murgatroyd predicts who will reach the last four at the tournament.

Also in this episode:

  • Co-hosts Paul Radley and Chitrabhanu Kadalayil discuss the best of the rest: what next for South Africa; has Sri Lanka fast bowler Lasith Malinga proved skills indeed trump his "six pack"; and what to make of the latest heated debate over the contraction of the 2019 World Cup?
  • Kadalayil provides his take on why low-scoring matches make for more exciting cricket.

Cricket - ICC Cricket World Cup - Australia Nets - Merchant Taylors School, Northwood, Britain - June 23, 2019   Australia's Aaron Finch during nets   Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Aaron Finch and his Australian teammates are preparing for tough fixtures this week. Paul Childs / Reuters