Starc the key as Australia chase sixth World Cup title in India
Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
Winner(1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015)
Australia are the most successful country in the history of the Cricket World Cup, having tasted success a total of five times in the history of the tournament.
Their first triumph came on Indian soil in 1987, while the powerful side at the turn of the century claimed an unprecedented three titles on the trot in 1999, 2003 and 2007.
Their most recent victory came on home soil when they defeated New Zealand in a one-sided final in 2015.
(Most recent first): L L L L L W W W W L
vs India (8 October), Chennai
vs South Africa (12 October), Lucknow
vs Sri Lanka (16 October), Lucknow
vs Pakistan (20 October), Bengaluru
vs Netherlands (25 October), Delhi
vs New Zealand (28 October), Dharamsala
vs England (4 November), Ahmedabad
vs Afghanistan (7 November), Mumbai (Wankhede)
vs Bangladesh (11 November), Pune
vs India (8 October)
There's no doubt the tournament hosts are among the favourites to win the World Cup and Australia can gain some early momentum with an upset victory in Chennai.
While India proved victorious during the recent ODI series against Australia on the sub-continent, the stakes will be higher this time around and the sides will have some different personnel at their disposal.
Experienced campaigners Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins are likely to return from injury, while the Aussies will also be hoping that explosive left-hander David Warner can continue his good recent run with the bat.
This clash looms as an important match for both sides, with a spot in the semi-finals sure to be tightly-fought later in the tournament.
Mitchell Starc
The Australia pacer has proven to be one of the most consistent quicks in the world in recent times and will be relied upon yet again to make early breakthroughs for his side.
Starc has the ability to get plenty of swing with the new ball and his record at previous World Cups is among the best of any current day player.
The left-armer topped the wicket-taking charts at the 2015 edition of the World Cup alongside New Zealand seamer Trent Boult with 22 scalps and bettered that at the most recent tournament in 2019 when leading all comers by taking 27 wickets.
His wicket haul in the 2019 event is the best-ever performance by a bowler in a Cricket World Cup.
If Australia are to claim a sixth World Cup title in India then Starc needs to play a major role.
While Australia's 50-over form since the last edition of the World Cup in 2019 has been patchy at best, expect them to be out to prove a point this time around in India.
At the last World Cup Australia were bundled out of the tournament in the semi-finals by eventual champions England and Cummins' side will be keen to atone with an improved performance in the sub-continent.
Playing in Indian conditions will hold no fears for Australia, with the majority of their stars having performed well in the tricky conditions for their team on previous trips to the Asian country.
The hand injury Travis Head picked up recently has thrown a small hiccup in Australia's preparations for the six-week tournament, but they still have enough firepower in their line-up to be one of the most likely champions at this year's World Cup.