As we have seen, not only in the various cricket forums, but in the media as well, a feeling that Australia are finished as a ODI force. After a mainly successful but gruelling summer which including a heavily criticised training schedule set by Buchannan
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...003413,00.html
Australia definately has the look af a team worn out and running on empty. Couple that with the spate of injuries Australia have suffered, Australia now have a beatable, vulnerable look about them leading many to question their WC chances.
But lets look at how expectations of Australia's performances have ironed out in the last couple of years.

Australia arrived in England in 2005 as favorites to win the Ashes, but ended up being convincingly defeated.

After the defeat in England, many thought Australia's dad's army were finished as a force and England the new top dogs. The opposite happened with Australia winning their next 15 out of 16 tests, and England struggling to keep their no2 position.

England arrived in Australia with many expecting a close series, but the opposite happened when Australia won 5-0 for the first time in 80 years.

Australia, after cruising through the early rounds of the CB series were expected to comfortably win the finals, but the opposite happened with Australia being routed by England.

Australia then went to New Zealand, and despite notable absences, were expected to play well against a NZ side who had lost every match against Australia the previous month. The opposite happened and NZ routed the Aussies.

Now many are expecting a dismal WC performance from a injury wracked team, apparently bereft of confidence...................

Now we have Greame Smith self declaring his team as favorites, and "promising more pain" for Australia in the world cup.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...003413,00.html

Are the Aussies now fearing for their lives in the Carrabean, and dreading the inevitable South African WC victory?

Will the Aussies be sinking into depression and a sense of impending doom from the barbs and criticisms they are currently recieving, or are they being filled with a strong resolve and a willingness to silence the critics?

While the media, and much of the cricketing world are currently revelling in Australia's apparent demise, some commentators, such as Border, Jullian, Flemming and co from the Inside cricket show for example, reckon that the Aussies are secretly quite pleased with the way things are panning out. Most Bookies around the world are not so convinced that Australia are finished too - they are still favorites with the money men.

Will Australia fail dismally at the WC while watching Smith's South Africans justify his self-declared favoritism. Or will the opposite happen.....................?