If Australia and Zimbabwe play at a neutral venue, Australia's boycott would seem a hollow gesture © Getty Images

Brydon Coverdale

The Australian government's ban on Australia touring Zimbabwe has continued a worrying trend of inconsistency from governments and cricket administrators, who can't seem to reach a definitive conclusion on the country. While the decision not to tour for a three-match series in September was the right one - a popular one with senior players; one that has upset Dean Jones; and one that has reasonable public support - the matches may be held in a neutral venue after South Africa offered to step in as host.

Cricket Australia (CA) is keen to pursue that option, which raises the question of what exactly Australia objects to. Is it visiting Zimbabwe or playing Zimbabwe? If the teams compete elsewhere, the boycott would seem a hollow gesture.

Similarly, England boycotted their World Cup match in Zimbabwe in 2003 on safety grounds but toured the country a year later. In 2005, the New Zealand government let its cricketers play in Zimbabwe but stopped Zimbabwe touring New Zealand.

Perhaps sniffing a chance to gain credibility before a federal election - John Howard, the prime minister, must call the poll by the end of the year - the government backed up its hard words with action once it received a legal go-ahead. Howard would prefer Australia not to play Zimbabwe anywhere for the time being. Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has the president Robert Mugabe as its patron and effectively acts as an arm of his brutal government regime, which Howard this week likened to the Gestapo.

However, CA is now exploring when, where and if a rescheduled series might take place. Playing Zimbabwe in South Africa - or in Australia, England or Siberia - should be no more acceptable than in Zimbabwe itself. Would a sporting boycott of South Africa have worked as well in the 1970s and 80s if the only stipulation was that matches be held outside South Africa? It's a different scenario, but action is needed on Zimbabwe as well.

Comparing Andy Flower and Arthur Morris highlights just how appalling the standard of living has become under Mugabe. Both were classy left-handers who captained their nations in Tests. Another common trait is they are a few years past the life expectancy in their home country. Morris, a native of Sydney, is 85. If he still lived in Zimbabwe, Flower, 39, would have eclipsed the average lifespan for males by three or four years. It is a sobering statistic.

The decision over a neutral series venue will probably remain as talk, because it's unlikely Mugabe will consent to give up Zimbabwe's hosting rights. After CA was ordered not to make the trip, ZC still refused to budge, telling the Sydney Morning Herald it expected Australia to tour as planned.

	John Howard's government would prefer Australia not to play Zimbabwe anywhere for the time being © Getty Images

On a less political note, even if the tour was to go ahead, what purpose would a series of three ODIs in a neutral country serve? Who would care? Australian fans could barely see the point of the three-match Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series in February, involving sides that would go to the World Cup semi-finals. That was a genuine contest between two of the best cricketing nations in the world.

Supporters are unlikely to stay up to watch what would surely be an embarrassing mismatch between the world's No. 1 team and a side ranked below Ireland at 11th. It's hard to believe the people of Zimbabwe would display much interest in the series - even if they knew it was on. They have other things on their minds, the nation's 80% unemployment rate for one; whether to stay put or attempt to flee, for another. Recent games in Zimbabwe have attracted hundreds of fans, not thousands.

Perhaps if Zimbabwe's best players were available - Heath Streak, Tatenda Taibu, Andy and Grant Flower - we could hope for a semi-competitive series. But of course they are not, as Zimbabwean cricket has become a microcosm of the nation's political situation. Like the country itself cricket in Zimbabwe is a shambles. Outsiders are having problems even finding scorecards for Zimbabwe's domestic competitions. Of course, the competitiveness or lack of it is nothing compared to the human rights violations in Zimbabwe.

Stopping a neutral series would set a clear precedent and may give other nations strength to follow a similar path. Opinion throughout the world will be divided, but consistency is needed on an issue that refuses to get a final answer.

by Brydon Coverdale

Glenn McGrath risks a disappointing farewell unless Australia's bowlers can turn things around © Getty Images

There is one bright spot in the darkness of Australia's recent run of poor one-day form: their batting will be boosted by the return of the rested Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Michael Clarke for the World Cup. They can take no solace from their bowling situation.

Australia's inability to defend 336 at Auckland on Sunday was the latest in a worrying series of big targets they have proved incapable of protecting. New Zealand's impressive effort was the second-highest successful run-chase in ODI history and was nestled between two other Australian failures from the past 14 months.

In their second-last match before they travel to the World Cup, it should be a major concern for a team that has had its bowling line-up largely settled since at least the Champions Trophy in October. Only Shaun Tait has been added for his ability to bowl fast, inswinging yorkers at the death but he is yet to demonstrate that skill at international level.

Big scores could be common in the West Indies, where the small grounds will encourage the sort of boundary-clearing strokes that led to a combined 20 sixes at Eden Park on Sunday. Unless Australia's attack can remember how to bowl some tight, containing overs in the middle or closing stages, their one-day crown will be in danger of slipping even further.

Glenn McGrath and Nathan Bracken, two of their most reliable performers, have been below par in 2006-07. Both suffered at the destructive hands of Jacob Oram at Perth as New Zealand came agonisingly close to overhauling Australia's 343. The pair was also part of the four-man pace attack that could not break the partnership between Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell after England were in desperate trouble in the first CB Series final at Melbourne.

Bracken has picked up wickets here and there but his consistency in breaking top-order partnerships with the swinging white ball has fallen away. McGrath has not rediscovered the joy of his Test farewell and his ageing body has been unable to produce the metronomic accuracy that formerly demanded respect from batsmen the world over.

Mitchell Johnson has left behind the form that earned him the prize wickets of Brian Lara, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar at the DLF Cup in September. When he plays, he is now targeted by batsmen who want to belt him out of the attack.

As Ross Taylor and Peter Fulton reeled in the target at Auckland, what Australia needed was a string of miserly overs that ballooned the required run-rate close to ten an over. Tait, McGrath, Bracken and Shane Watson all threatened to do it but there was always a loose ball just around the corner that let the batsmen relieve the pressure with a boundary.

Australia have missed Andrew Symonds and his habit of tearing through overs of offspin as their fit slow-bowling options, Brad Hogg and Cameron White, went for a combined 87 from ten overs. White is, at this stage, not going to the West Indies but Hogg needs to regain the form that made him such a useful part of Australia's 2003 World Cup squad.

He has had limited opportunities this season and his knack for picking up important wickets seems to have deserted him. Batsmen have been willing to push him around and try for boundaries by hitting with the spin. On big grounds that can lead to outfield catches but on smaller ones he will need more control.

Nathan Bracken must again become Australia's new-ball destroyer © Getty Images

Within the 15-man World Cup squad, there are precious few other possibilities. Johnson was the only fit bowler going to the Caribbean who did not play on Sunday but he went for 49 from his eight overs two days earlier as New Zealand inflicted Australia's first ten-wicket loss. There will be a temptation to bring in Stuart Clark, who is known for his consistency, if Brett Lee does not recover from his ankle injury.

That might not be the best solution. Clark has been a Test match star but like the others, he has been too costly in the limited-overs game. His predictability - and on occasions his lack of control of the white ball - have led to an economy rate of 6.40 from his last ten games. He was the leading culprit as West Indies chased down Australia's 272 in Malaysia in September, when he went for 87 from seven overs as Chris Gayle unleashed a fierce assault.

Australia say they have been fine-tuning their attack in the lead-up to the World Cup. But they cannot possibly suggest their bowling line-up is in its best shape after their recent efforts, although Watson showed some promising signs on Sunday with his control and subtle variations. McGrath, Bracken, Johnson, Watson and Hogg are all capable of match-winning spells on their day. However, limited-overs bowling is largely about containment and unless they can remember how to restrict the runs, they will go to the West Indies in serious danger of being overpowered.

In their pool matches the No. 1-ranked South Africa will be looking to justify their promotion and Australia must be on their game to contain Herschelle Gibbs and his team-mates. After that, any number of sides and individuals could hurt Australia. A destructive Gayle, a resurgent Sanath Jayasuriya, a fit-again Oram or a rejuvenated Sourav Ganguly are just a few of the countless threats. They have all taken notice of the last month and will want to prove they too can conquer the former masters.

by Ian Chappell

Ricky Ponting has some work to do when he returns as captain © Getty Images

Australia have gone from raging favourites to suffering a case of raging World Cup fever in the space of three weeks. Some of the problems have been of their own making and others have cropped up via injury. No matter the cause, they have to start finding solutions in a hurry and they are short on time as the World Cup warm-up matches loom large.

The return of Ricky Ponting will help solve a large slice of the problem; he provides the team with not only strong leadership, but he's also the best batsman by a wide margin. It's no coincidence that in Australia's five losses in their last six matches Ponting wasn't playing in three of them, failed in another and made a big score [75] in the first CB Series final in which they were narrowly beaten. Here's a hint to opponents: to beat Australia it helps enormously if you get rid of Ponting cheaply.

The next thing Australia needs to lift their performance is some good news on the injury front. The loss of Brett Lee coming on the heels of Andrew Symonds is a huge blow to their World Cup chances. The best Australia can hope for at the World Cup is the return of Symonds as a slightly diminished batsman rather than the brilliant allrounder he was before the biceps injury. If he even makes the World Cup, opponents shouldn't have to worry about his throwing or even his bowling and there's also a chance his powerful hitting will be adversely affected by the injury. Consequently his return will only be a partial panacea.

Lee is in a similar position. A front-foot ankle-tendon injury is not good news for a fast bowler. If he makes it to the World Cup it will take him some time to trust the ankle when he bangs it down in the delivery stride and the best Australia could hope for is a confident and fit Lee by the semi-finals.

Thanks to a dangerous mixture of arrogance and stupidity during the Commonwealth Bank Series, Australia fiddled rather than found their best combination

So where does that leave Australia? They had better start making their World Cup plans without Symonds and Lee and if either happens to be fit and in-form by the knockout stage it will be a bonus. The first priority is to settle on their best side. Thanks to a dangerous mixture of arrogance and stupidity during the Commonwealth Bank Series, Australia fiddled rather than found their best combination and then the coach John Buchanan incited the opposition by indulging in ridicule.

Now they are not only unsure of who are the best bowlers in the final overs, they are also struggling to find a spinner to take a wicket or two in the middle overs after the powerplays. This is a crucial role and if Australia can't find someone to do the job with Symonds injured, they'll constantly encounter big targets or have their totals, even larger ones, chased down.

The ideal build-up for Australia after losing the finals series to England would've been to travel to New Zealand and quickly rebuild confidence. To do this they needed Ponting to lead them back to winning form and not a fill-in leader - especially not one who is unsuited to captaincy. Having lost the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy on top of the Commonwealth Bank series, Australia is now not only an injury-hit side but also a team searching for answers and confidence.

Ponting has a huge rehabilitation job to do as captain and he has no choice but to treat the two warm-up matches against England and Zimbabwe as though they actually count for the World Cup. Confidence-boosting wins in those two games may not restore the team to outright favouritism, but it might help clear up that dose of World Cup fever that is raging through the side at the moment.

Ross Taylor took few risks on his way to his second one-day century © Getty Images

Brydon Coverdale

Australia fell from their No. 1 one-day ranking for the first time as Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton and Craig McMillan propelled New Zealand to their huge target of 337 with an over to spare to secure the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. Taylor's century bettered the one Michael Hussey had made to set up Australia's total, which until New Zealand's chase was the highest ODI score at Eden Park.

Taylor built the platform with 117 before Fulton, and in particular McMillan, hammered Australia to all parts of the ground in the dying stages. McMillan's 52 from 30 balls was telling after New Zealand went into the last ten overs with 91 needed.

He put the home side in touch with three consecutive fours off Shaun Tait and Fulton followed up next over with two slog-swept sixes off Brad Hogg to haul in the required run-rate. The second of Fulton's sixes was caught on the boundary by Cameron White but he was unable to counter the backwards momentum and stepped on the boundary.

White and Hogg, Australia's two spin options, were the most costly as their combined ten overs cost 87 runs. White struggled to find his line and length and Hogg at times bowled too straight and suffered from the late aggression by Fulton and McMillan. Australia's fielding was also sub-par and Phil Jaques' dropped chance on the boundary when McMillan was 5 proved vital.

The loss was Hussey's third from three games as Australia's captain and means South Africa will jump to the No. 1 place in the limited-overs rankings. It is the first time since the current system was introduced in 2002 Australia have fallen from top spot.

Taylor's second ODI century came up with a beautifully-timed off drive that continued his trend of finding the boundary through conventional, low-risk shots. He dispatched White for three consecutive fours through cover and his only six was a cracking pull from a White long-hop.

Most of Taylor's best shots were traditional drives and flicks through the on side. He used Tait's pace against him to help the ball on its way and finished with 16 fours. He departed when he was deceived by a Shane Watson slower ball and skied an attempted slog to Hussey at midwicket. Australia's stand-in captain made the high chance look easy and pumped his fists when he thought the danger man was gone.

But Fulton, who had until then taken a back seat, lifted his game and finished with 76 from 65 balls. Brendon McCullum and Fulton sealed the win after McMillan was caught trying for another boundary.

Michael Hussey's century was not enough to lift Australia to victory © Getty Images

Hussey and Brad Hodge dominated the Australia innings and set what looked like an imposing target. Hodge was stranded just short of a century for the second time in five matches - he finished on 99 against New Zealand at Melbourne two weeks ago - and White bludgeoned a late 42 from 19 balls to help the cause.

Hussey again batted at No. 4 and took full advantage of the short boundaries. He brought up his second limited-overs century with a sensational string of three sixes in four balls off the part-time medium-pace of Lou Vincent.

The hundred took him 81 deliveries and included six sixes and eight fours and despite his high strike-rate he rarely looked like mis-hitting a ball. Hussey picked up the length easily and, especially off the medium-pacers, had no trouble clearing the ropes over the on side. The six to bring up his century was one of his best as he went down on one knee and swept Vincent over midwicket.

Hodge took few chances but scored at better than a run a ball and added 84 in the final 45 deliveries with White. But for the second time in as many games New Zealand's decision to field first paid off and Fleming lifted the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in his own right for the first time.

Stirring scenes: England deserved to celebrate after their CB Series win © Getty Images

Peter English

Australia's greatest danger at the World Cup is not their revived nemesis England. The most severe threat to an unprecedented three-peat in the Caribbean is themselves. The moment the CB Series started to slide out of control came after Lou Vincent accused the hosts of being "bigger than the game" and ego driven. On hearing this the Australians elbowed in front of each other to say what a compliment it was.

Ricky Ponting's response was he wanted his side to be ultra-competitive, but from then on they won only one of four games, were defeated three times by England and lost a home finals series for the first time in 14 years. It could be an incredibly valuable World Cup preparation if Australia work out the lesson.

England played superbly to take the awkward CB Series trophy after their glorious run began when Ponting suffered a minor hip injury and chose not to play at the SCG. If it was an important game, he said, he would have been ready, but as Australia had qualified for the finals it was better to rest. It was a crucial decision.

The 92-run loss, ending a nine-game winning streak, became the turning point of the series as the confidence of the home side over-rode the need to prevent the opposition gaining momentum. Ponting will now miss the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in New Zealand, which starts on Friday, and while the reasons for the captain and vice-captain skipping the trip are admirable - Ponting has a minor back problem; Adam Gilchrist is preparing for the birth of his third child - the option paints the squad as high, mighty and set for a fall. (If players need in-series breaks then itineraries should be changed instead of diluting the quality.)

The surest sign of egos taking over was when Australia built winning positions and lost them spectacularly. In the first final two opportunities were lost and in the second game they restricted England to a gettable total before imploding with help from Liam Plunkett. Throughout the three defeats to England the players - apart from Ponting and Matthew Hayden in Melbourne - waited for the next man to do their work. "It's only England, someone will get us through." They were relying on reputation rather than self-disciplined action.

Australia got into strong positions, but were not able to keep them © Getty Images

Rotating the players and the arm injury of Andrew Symonds also left the selectors unsure of their first XI at the conclusion. Symonds' absence unsettled the balance and there was no immediate back-up plan for replacing the team's superhero. Two men, Brad Hogg and Shane Watson, were trialled during the most important one-day games of the home season, despite playing once between them in the qualifying phase. The move failed as neither was able to produce significant performances.

The big guns also did not explode, but picking Hogg after he had criss-crossed the country as a net bowler and rushing in Watson following his hamstring dramas were desperate calls. Men lacking match practice were preferred instead of Cameron White and Mitchell Johnson, who had figured throughout the series. Selectors can also be affected by notions of invincibility.

During the tournament the locals talked of 400-plus totals, a perfect summer and John Buchanan moaned the opposition teams were not providing enough challenges. Vincent was right: Australia were too confident in their own ability. The players thought they were too good to lose and were unseated in embarrassing fashion.

Australia's finals aura has been diminished - they had lost only one decider in almost seven years before Friday night - but they can restore it with a slight alteration in their outlook. An English friend mutters "pride comes before a fall" whenever his football team wins a couple of games. It is simple, cute and might be useful for Australia.