OwZat!

Ten days ago, the Australians were clear favorites to win the world cup. Cue a close run game with the Kiwis, two of the most unlikely England victories in history and an opportunity for John Buchannan to scrape egg from his face. But things just got even worse for the men in baggy greens.

Today a weakened Australia and a masterful performance from the injury prone Shane Bond (5-27) combined to see the Shanes fall to 10 wicket defeat in the 1st game of the Chappell-Hadlee trophy. New Zealand, in the form of Flemming and Vincent, chased down a mere 149 with 138 balls to spare and a look of ease that made their opponents performance seem average. Stand-in captain Hussey (both Ponting and Gilchrist declined the week long tour) made the best of it with 42 from 96 balls, and Australia are now two likely looking losses away from deservedly loosing the ODI no. 1 position to the resurgent South Africans, who have just given Pakistan a 3-1 smacking.

Pride comes before a fall, but what else? Aging players, injuries, lame duck coaches on their way to retirement etc etc. Team Australia is now in a England-like position. Key players, both batting and bowling, are missing from the team sheet (Gilchrist, Ponting, Symonds, Lee). If they fail to take the CH trophy, Australia will have succeeded in sending three teams to the world cup - England, New Zealand and South Africa - with the sense of confidence that makes their task that little bit easier, and Australia's that bit harder.

Labels: Australia, New Zealand, World Cup