Inexperienced and mediocre.

Key points: Australia entered the 1987 World Cup in poor form and was a rank outsider to win the tournament

Australia entered the 1987 World Cup in poor form and was a rank outsider to win the tournament Coach Bob Simpson's influence was considered a turning point in Australian cricket

Coach Bob Simpson's influence was considered a turning point in Australian cricket The players had to adjust to the coach's methods as well as a drinking ban between matches

That was the blunt assessment from critics and fans alike of Australia's 1987 cricket squad.

It was Steve Waugh's first World Cup and even the future great of the game conceded that Australia was "not a great side".

"It's still one of my favourite tours," Waugh told ABC Grandstand's Legacy World Cup podcast series.

"We were the rank outsiders … and our form in the previous 12 months was poor in one-day cricket."

The playing squad of 14 arrived in India with a smattering of support staff. Back then, a physiotherapist was considered a luxury for a touring side.

It's a world apart from the modern set-up that includes specialist batting, bowling and fielding coaches, a doctor, physiotherapist, dietician, strength and conditioning staff, security, data analyst, team manager and media manager.

"We were, no doubt, underdogs — a very young side," Australian opening batsman Geoff Marsh said of the '87 touring party.

India wasn't hot — it was bloody hot. And from the very first training session, the Aussies knew this campaign would be an enormous challenge, both mentally and physically.

Australia's successful Cricket World Cup captains Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and Allan Border. ( AFP: Saeed Khan )

"I remember arriving in Madras [now Chennai] for our first practice and India was training at the same time and we were sent to the number two ground," recalled Marsh.

"It had cows on it and there were a couple of half 44-galon drums with our drinks in and a centre wicket."

The side was led by Allan Border, better known as AB or Captain Grumpy, depending on his mood at the time. Former Australian cricketer Bobby Simpson was still finding his way as the national coach.

Few knew it at the time, but the often underestimated Simpson was about to revolutionise the game.

"It was a complete transformation in the way Australia organised their cricket," said ABC cricket commentator Jim Maxwell.

The Cup with no beer

Australia entered the 1987 tournament having lost its last five limited-overs matches.

"In scorching 40-degree heat, we were training for three or four hours while other teams were watching us and thinking 'these guys are crazy'," said Waugh.

Steve Waugh captained Australia to victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Cricket World Cup final at Lord's. ( AFP Pool )

But Simpson stuck to his plan, much to the chagrin of his players.

"Bob Simpson had to sell that game plan to us, the players," said Australian batsman Dean Jones.

At the time, cricket was largely considered as a contest between bat and ball, but Simpson added one vital factor — fielding.

"If there was a patch of green grass at the hotel we were staying at, Simpson had us out there training and catching while other teams were watching us," Marsh told ABC Grandstand.

"That's the psychological advantage that he wanted us to have."

Armed with statistics on both his side and the opposition, the Australian coach completely changed the perception of ODI cricket from a "bit of fun" to a legitimate form of the game.

Even though the players still wore white clothing, the 50-over format was about to add some needed colour and excitement to the traditional game of cricket.

Bob Simpson (right) coached the Australian cricket team from 1986 to 1996. ( AAP Image )

The coach also believed that the on-field performance was to be matched with off-field professionalism.

That meant a drinking ban between games — definitely something touring sides of the past were not used to.

"Back in those days, it was very much have a beer after every opportunity … it was just part of the culture at the time," captain Allan Border said.

"If we're going to give this competition a real shake, let's do the extra little hard yards."

The odd alcoholic beverage has always been synonymous with Australian cricket. ( AFP: William West )

Australia takes the karma path

Australia narrowly won its opening match against the host nation, but only after successfully disputing its total score.

A Dean Jones six had been incorrectly signalled as four runs by the umpire during Australia's innings.

The score was changed during the innings break, with the readjustment proving crucial to Australia's one-run victory.

Australia's mantra throughout the tournament was borne out of its first session on that cow-strewn training ground — anything but your standard field of World Cup dreams.

"It was on that day that [squad member] Simon O'Donnell made the statement 'to lose patience is to lose the battle'," Marsh said.

Australia has won the coveted ICC Cricket World Cup trophy on five occasions. ( AFP: Indranil Mukherjee )

"We held that right throughout the '87 World Cup and we kept going back to that first training session for the whole tournament."

It worked.

The Australians went on to reach the final and played England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata (sans livestock).

They recorded a gritty seven-run win in the decider to claim the first of their five World Cup victories.

Soon it might be the first of six.