The Cricketer assesses the performances of The Baggy Green who grew into the tournament as it progressed...
(10 matches, 507 runs, ave 50.70, 1 wicket, ave 20, 5 catches)
Enjoyed a great middle third of the tournament with a run of two fifties and two centuries in four innings to guide the Baggy Green into the semi-finals. But when it mattered, Finch wilted under the strain. His wicket was key first in the loss to South Africa which set up the clash with England. Trapped lbw by Jofra Archer the 32-year-old just couldn't match the movement of velocity generated by the seamer. Calm and considered as a captain, he is likely to retain the leadership.
Grade: B+
(10 matches, 375 runs, ave 62.70, 18 catches)
Utterly sublime behind the stumps and with the bat, to the point where he must now be considered for the Ashes against England starting in August. Produced a series of much-needed innings when the five-time winners were struggling; a 45 against the West Indies, a majestic 71 in the clash with New Zealand and then a resilient 46 in defeat to England after he had his helmet blown off and his chin cut badly. Was reliable as ever with the gloves and is now a staple of this team.
Grade: A
(10 matches, 51 runs, ave 7.28, 14 wickets, ave 30.50, 4 catches)
Performed well below his very best for large swathes of the World Cup. Has plenty of licks in that right arm but isn't able to exert the same kind of variation as many of his rivals. Indeed, he may be too conventional for the 50-over game, when bringing something different to the party is becoming increasingly key. Finished with the best economy rate of any Aussie bowled but lacked genuine penetration. Additionally, never showed any form with the bat, a skill he is often so reliable at. An odd few weeks in all, but he'll be back for the Ashes.
Grade: C-
The runs flowed for David Warner
(5 matches, 12 runs, ave 6, 9 wickets, ave 25.22, 1 catch)
Had to wait until the middle of June for his first outing in this World Cup but ended up playing the last four games as Australia honed in on the final. Took 5-44 in victory over England with his devilish left-arm seam - somewhat of an unknown quantity - caused havoc at Lord's. Thereafter, he only took three more wickets and though he bowled frugally in the re-match with England he was unable to prevent an inevitable defeat.
Grade: C+
(5 matches, 98 runs, ave 32.66, 4 wickets, ave 70)
The summer solstice signally the end for the 31-year-old's World Cup campaign. Coulter-Nile played the opening five games of the tournament, the highlight being a fine 92 against the Windies after a desperate start to the innings, though he was rather inconsequential with the ball. He predicted his own removal from the team after just two games and though he lasted a bit longer he was ditched for the pinch-point of the competition. And that will hurt.
Grade: C-
Glenn Maxwell failed to enhance his reputation
(9 matches, 316 runs, ave 35.11, 5 catches)
Was shifted down to No.3 to accommodate the return of David Warner but never really adapted to his new surroundings, having excelled as an opener during Australia's revival against India and Pakistan. Failed to make a contribution of any note until the clash with Bangladesh when he made 89 at a strike-rate of 123.61, an eye-watering speed for the methodical left-hander. Warner and Finch very much led the way at the top of the order, almost leaving Khawaja cold once he reached the crease.
When they both failed against New Zealand he came to the party with a vital 88, which was far more dogged than his effort against The Tigers. However, that his tournament ended with having to hobble his way through his innings against South Africa having retired hurt with a hamstring injury summed up his fortunes quite accurately.
Grade: D+
(4 matches, 8 runs, ave 8, 3 wickets, ave 60.33, 1 catch)
After Adam Zampa had been slapped to all parts of England and Wales, Lyon was recalled to help give Australia a spin outlet. Few turners had success during the early English summer and the 31-year-old was no different though he was not nearly as expensive as his counterpart Zampa. Will be a greater influence later this summer both with his mouth and with the ball.
Grade: D-
(2 matches, 26 runs, ave 13,)
Only played twice for the Baggy Green before a Pat Cummins delivery in the nets broke his wrist and ruled him out of the tournament. Made 23 against Pakistan, his most worthwhile contribution before being dismissed by Mohammad Amir before an awkward nine-ball innings against Sri Lanka was ended by Isuru Udana. His tournament was curtailed in sad circumstances but it is unlikely he would have featured a great deal in the latter stages.
Grade: D
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(10 matches, 177 runs, ave 22.12, 4 catches)
Less like Big Show more like No Show. Maxwell might have a big reputation but at international level it is starting to look like an exaggeration of his ability. Wasteful with the bat and anonymous with the ball; it was 10 games to forget for the allrounder.
Failed to go past 46 despite continually being indulged by the Australia team and at times even came in as high as No.4. Judging him on his bowling alone would be unfair but no wickets in eight innings tells its own story. Rumours he could be dropped for the semi-final were certainly not without foundation, making him a strong contender for inclusion in the worst XI of this World Cup.
Grade: E-
(2 matches, 1 run, ave N/A, 5 wickets, ave 21.80, 2 catches)
A late call-up prior to the tournament after injury to Jhye Richardson. Hard to be too critical after making just two outings in a pair of comfortable wins for Australia, but that he was not retained for the vital games at the back-end amid a series of injuries reflected his displays. Best figures of 3-47 against Sri Lanka were slightly flattering though it did include dismissing Dimuth Karunaratne three short of a century. Not needed thereafter, with Jason Behrendorff taking the role as the third seamer.
Grade: D
(10 matches, 379 runs, ave 37.90, 1 wicket, ave 32, 3 catches)
Four half-centuries might sound like an impressive haul but for a man of Smith's stature, this summer has begun with a minor failure with the bat. His awkward technique only paid dividends in dispatches against the West Indies and then crucially against England with a fine 85 to pull his team out of a hole.
Perhaps still affected by the elbow injury he came into the tournament with, he was never at his flowing best but has time to rest up when the rivalry with England - and their vociferous support - resumes.
Grade: C+
(10 matches, 68 runs, ave 11.33, 27 wickets, ave 18.59, 3 catches)
Underlined his status as one of the best left-arm seamers in ODI history. Free-flowing and threatening with the new ball alongside the plucky Cummins, devilishly difficult and ruthless at the death which helped end the hopes of several opponents.
Produced the stand-out ball of the tournament to dismiss Ben Stokes at Lord's, a full in-swinging yorker which uprooted off-stump and sent Australia darting towards victory. That he was only able to take 1-70 in the semi-final was among the main reasons why the Baggy Green were unable to have the chance to retain their title. Have to hope this is not his last World Cup.
Grade: A+
It was a harrowing tournament for Adam Zampa
(8 matches, 87 runs, ave 14.50, 7 wickets, ave 34.85, 3 catches)
An allrounder who was far more effective with the ball than the bat. Australia's top order ensured he rarely got a chance to make a major impression at the crease, failing to get past 22 in six innings and unable to give his side the acceleration they needed once he came in.
The Perth native was more effective with his medium-pace, finishing with two wickets against Afghanistan, India - Virat Kohli was among his victims - and Bangladesh. Run-out against South Africa was careless and at a key moment in the game and it was his final act, having been replaced by Mitchell Marsh for the semi-finals.
Grade: D+
(10 matches, 647 runs, ave 71.88, 4 catches)
Had to endure a torrent of abuse at the start of the World Cup for his part in the sandpaper episode in Cape Town, well over a year ago. But he ignored the critics and produced a controlled performance to finish with more than 600 runs and three hundreds.
Had the awareness to be self-critical after a misguided innings in the chase against India and followed it up with a fine century against Pakistan. Played within himself at times as he searched for form but he delivered on a regular basis and was able to grow as the innings went on. His 122 is adversity against South Africa was another gem.
Grade: A
(4 matches, 1 run, ave 1, 5 wickets, ave 47.20, 1 catch)
Parts of the New South Wales native are still being picked up around the country. Started as the front-line spinner and appeared to repay that faith with three wickets against Afghanistan. But afterwards, he was ineffective against the Windies and was mullered against India and Bangladesh, going for 11 fours and seven sixes in 15 overs. He was not seen again after that.
English pitches were never likely to assist him but even so he struggles to put genuine action on the ball and is rather gentle at this level. Wouldn't be a surprise not to see him in four years time.
Grade: E
(1 match, 4 runs, ave 4, wickets)
Parachuted into a World Cup semi-final after over three months without any competitive top tier international cricket, and it showed. Has an ungainly enough technique as it is and it was exposed again as he was cleaned up by Chris Woakes to leave Australia in disarray.
Grade: E
Did not feature: Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade
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