Cummins backs Aussies to bounce back at ODI World Cup

Australia have made a disastrous start to the ODI World Cup in India, but captain Pat Cummins is confident his team can turn around their ailing fortunes.

PAT CUMMINS.
PAT CUMMINS. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Australia captain Pat Cummins says his team are desperate to turn around their ailing ODI World Cup campaign, and he's adamant they have the right personnel for the challenge.

The five-time champions are staring down the barrel of an early exit after heavy losses to India and South Africa in their opening games.

Their lacklustre displays have led to criticism that the team isn't playing the Australian way.

"I still haven't really quite put my finger on what playing the Australian way means, and I've been playing for a long time," Cummins said tongue-in-cheek when the talking point was put to him ahead of Monday's clash with Sri Lanka in Lucknow.

With Australia possibly needing to win six of their remaining seven round-robin matches to advance, the pressure is on Cummins' team.

The star paceman is confident his players will rise to the task.

"No doubt we haven't been up to the standard that we'd like to hold. We've been outplayed both games," Cummins said on Sunday.

"When we're at our best, we're putting big runs on the board, we're putting the pressure back on the opposition, us bowlers are taking wickets through the middle.

"We haven't been able to pull any of that together so far.

"We know what makes us a really good team. It wasn't that long ago we were No.1 in the world.

"After the last game, everyone was a little bit flat. But the last couple of days have been really good. Everyone has rolled up their sleeves and want to get to work and make amends.

"The mood in the camp has been fantastic. Everyone is desperate to turn it around."

Australia's team balance has been another aspect to draw criticism.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey and allrounder Cameron Green were dropped for Josh Inglis and Marcus Stoinis for the loss to India, but the moves failed to pay dividends.

Cummins isn't forecasting many changes against Sri Lanka, and was steadfast that he wouldn't want to change his squad even if tournament rules allowed it.

"Really happy with who we've got here," Cummins said.

"There's a couple of injuries that have forced our hand a little bit. But we wouldn't change any of our personnel."

Opener Travis Head, who fractured his left hand last month, has returned to batting duties in Adelaide and could be available for Australia's fifth game of the tournament - against the Netherlands on October 25.