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"Whether South Africa are ready for the No.1 ranking is irrelevant, because Australia is no longer on their level, nor India's. The crown is gone and Australia are languishing behind the other two nations in form and depth," said the 'Sydney Morning Herald'.
"Gone too is the killer instinct and ability to forge back-breaking partnerships when it matters most. Having lost the tri-series to India last season, Australia have been humbled this time around by a youthful and developing South African team," the report added.
The 'Courier Mail' added salt to the wound, saying, "Even the most optimistic now wouldn't expect Australia's ageing, sidelined stars to make a difference."
The 39-run victory in Perth on Friday saw South Africa dethrone Australia from the top of the ICC ODI championship table and the media was of the view that ageing Ponting's team was no longer a formidable match for developing teams like India, South Africa and Sri Lanka.
"India and the Proteas will fight it out with Australia for the No.1 ranking in coming weeks but where the foreign teams are rising, Australia have clearly fallen."
'Aussies crumble', a report in 'The Australian' read, "South Africa minus Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn were still too good for Australia."
'The Daily Telegraph' in its report headlined 'Humbled Aussies lose no. 1 rank' said the 4-1 series result was ample evidence of changing world order in the game.
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We will be back better than ever, it might take a couple of years but remember these words...WE WILL BE BACK !!
The world now knows that Australian cricket team is collapsing and has lost no.1 status. They are surely missing the great players like Gilchrist, Warne,Mchrath and Hayden. They fail to get flying opening starts and good partnership in middle order. Their bowling department is also not upto that standard. The new guys are no match with the retired ones. The Australian board will take time to repair the team. For the present its time of the Proteas and the Indians.
India needs to improve itself in other sports instead of discussing Australia's failure. They are good in other sports also and very soon will come up with a new and strong cricket team
Come one guys give Australia a break . They have ruled the game of cricket more than 15 years. If thye lost now that doesn't make a difference to the game . The country is competitive in all sports unlike India or South Africa. Wait til the new aussie kids arrive on the block. Never write the Aussies off !! take stock of things in your own country and improve other sports rather than gloating on Australian cricket team failure. Remember that Australia has the sports infrastructure in place and they take care of their athletes unlike us who treat them badly. We find bollywood stars more deserving to be awarded national awards than our athletes who bring to us in Olympics, sic. It would be better if the Indian media highlighted this aspect then repeat what Australian media had to say.
I totally agree with Mr. Anil as far as India is concerned, I don't know about South Africa. Shame on us we don't respect even those sportsmen who bring laurels for the country in Olympics. Very sad state of affairs.
I would call it height of optimism, sorry!! being at the top doesn't ever mean that one is THE LORD of anything, and this is just what Australia thought of themselves all these years. The most indisciplined and the most unsportsmanly team in the world, the Oz team are now finding it hard to believe someone else could be better than them in the business. Lets face it guys, its over. Kudos to SAF and India. And this is really not the first time that they have humbled the "mighty" Aussies. Just that this time the "overall talley of points" is in the red zone by the Oz perspective and rosy picture of the people Down Under.
Thank you Anil. I"m also disappointed regarding the distrubution of prestigious awards. When we are going to learn? Please don't believe on Indian newspapers. They are now not like what they were 20 years back. They are only interested in western business. shame
i agree . they are a great cricketing nation . they will regroup . newer talent will be found and they will fight for their due place . nothing in the world should be taken for granted including peace and prosperity. the same thing goes for cricke