Border urges Oz not to regard '2015 World Cup favourites' tag as 'burden'

Former Australian captain Allan Border, who guided the national team to their first World Cup victory 27 years ago, has advised the current squad not to regard the tag of 'favourites' as a burden, ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

Friday marked one year before the ICC World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand was due to begin and after their recent performances, the Australians are considered favourites to take the crown from defending champions India

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Border said that it is up to Michael Clarke's men to handle the pressure now on them to win the tournament next year and urged the team to wear the 'favourites' tag with pride so that they can have the confidence to dominate the tournament from the first day.

However, Border admitted that the side which would compete in next year's tournament must learn from the last Australian team to play in a World Cup hosted on home soil- the 1992 squad led by Border, which started as red-hot favourites but did not qualify for the semi-final stage after losses to New Zealand, South Africa, England and Pakistan.

Border also said that it is important for Australia to prepare well, and if they do, along with the 'favourites' tag, then can easily go out, 'blitz' the first few games and get the 'roll-on' from there.