Coulter-Nile sets new World Cup record

If Australia's selectors buy Ricky Ponting's logic that previous triumphs over certain opponents can prove decisive in big matches, Nathan Coulter-Nile's assertion that he's set to face the axe for Sunday's World Cup clash with India may be well off the mark.

That's because recent history shows Coulter-Nile has had the most success of any of Australia's available bowlers in curtailing India's two most dangerous batsmen in 50-over cricket.

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Skipper Virat Kohli is arguably one-day cricket's greatest ever batter with 41 centuries to his name and an average touching 60, while opener Rohit Sharma is fresh off what his captain labelled the finest century of his career in their Cup-opening win over South Africa.

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The pair sit first and second atop the International Cricket Council's ODI batting rankings.

"We know they're a fantastic team," paceman Mitchell Starc said. "They've got depth in their batting, they're strong throughout.

"Virat is obviously one of their key batsmen. Rohit scored a hundred as well, so we'll have a chat about them as a bowling group."

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In Test cricket, Kohli has at times found the going tough against Pat Cummins (who's dismissed him four times in five Tests) and Nathan Lyon (seven times, the most of any bowler, in 17 matches).

But in one-dayers, Coulter-Nile has not only had as much success of any of the Australian bowlers (Jhye Richardson, who got Kohli out three times in three games during the home summer, is injured) against him, while he's also got an enviable record against Rohit.

In ODIs, Coulter-Nile has dismissed the Indian stars three times apiece for a combined average of 21.83 - a superb return given strike pair Cummins (a bowling average of 58.66 against Kohli and Rohit combined) and Starc (81.00) have had little success against them in the format.

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Leg-spinner Adam Zampa (38.20) is the next best having gotten Rohit out twice and Kohli three times, while allrounder Marcus Stoinis (40.25) also boasts creditable returns against the duo.

Adding to Coulter-Nile's case for retention is the fact he's also dismissed the pair a combined three times in 21 balls in the Indian Premier League.

Ponting suggested the importance of previous individual encounters could play an important role in Australia's mouth-watering clash with the tournament heavyweights at The Oval.

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"As a batsman, you always have in the back of your mind about a one-on-one match-up that might pop up at some stage during the game," said the two-time World Cup-winning captain.

"I'm sure Pat (Cummins) will be looking forward to bowling to Virat and I’m sure (Jasprit) Bumrah will be looking forward to bowling to Finchy (Aaron Finch).

"It's just the way it is.

"What's happened in the past does play a small percentage going towards the next contest but it's not the be all and end all, sometimes things can do differently to what you plan for as well."

Nathan Coulter-Nile tees off against the Windies // Getty

Coulter-Nile smashed a match-winning 92 from No.8 against West Indies on Thursday to fire the reigning 50-over world champions to a tense 15-run win, but admitted he feared for his spot given he's bowled 18 overs and conceded 106 runs without taking a wicket at this World Cup.

Asked if he felt his position in the team was secure, Coulter-Nile said bluntly: "No. I took none for 70.

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"We've got two world-class (fast) bowlers (on the sidelines). I'm not in the team to make runs, hopefully the top order does that, so I wouldn't be surprised if I got dropped for the next game.

"I'm in the team to take wickets and I've had two wicketless games, so we'll see how we go."

Fighting Aussies hold off Windies in tight victory

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets

June 6: Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs

June 9: India v Australia, The Oval

June 12: Australia v Pakistan, Taunton

June 15: Sri Lanka v Australia, The Oval

June 20: Australia v Bangladesh, Trent Bridge

June 25: England v Australia, Lord's

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE