well, i agree, most likely to see bracken, tait, clark in the bowling attack say by 2009 ashes series...

there batsman, well, hayden, gilchrist probably gone by then, the australia we know will be gone after the 2007 world cup...

I will say South Africa, depending on the Aussies' bowling attack (form/fitness of McGrath etc).

The Aussies would need to improve on the one day form they showed in England in the summer to win the world cup.They missed Warne's control big time.

I think Pakistan stand a good chance under Woolmer and Inzamam,good blend of youth and experience that can only improve.
As for England,no doubt we will flatter to decieve once more.Bit like the football team really.

Australia will win because they have a big lead over India in the ODI rankings and they are so devastating with bat & ball.

With Gilchrist and Symonds big hitting and Brett Lee's devastating quick deliveries especially the inswinging yorkers, Australia would be just unbeatable.

They proved the to the world by crushing the World XI 3-0.

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The Australian Cricket Team - The Greatest Cricket Team Ever

I dont think rankings help much in predicting results of a match. Srilakna ranked way over India before the series started and now you know the results.

Beating a world XI is not a measurement of standards. World XI is always a temporary team with no team feelings and therefore playing to a plan is always almost impossible. The results of the Ashes is a good reflection of the current state of the Australian team.

I dont want to say that Australia is gone, but they are definitely not as strong a team as they were a year ago and their cricket is on the decline.

The ASHES defeat has bonded Australians more together. Ok we lost the ASHES, then so be it....

Lets look at the positives about losing the ASHES??

Its attracting more kids to play cricket, future AUSSIE cricketers.
Cricket more watched and more crowds at the games.

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The Australian Cricket Team - The Greatest Cricket Team Ever

Thats quite optimistic, Holden.

I suppose Australia are always going to be up there with the players they have. Although the bowling usnit does look a little weaker than it has in a while; I think Pakistan are improving and now have a good quality squad; South Africa also have a good side and will always be up there; India will always be in contention with their quality batting line-up; England have the side to do it, they just don't perform as a whole often enough. The other sides are too inconsistent, even England, although don't discount the Windies as the home side.

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Watch this for a perfect about.
James May

Ageing Australian team ??? apart from McGrath and Gilly, who in the Aust. ODI team are close to retirement ??

As for the 2007 Cup, As an Aussie i would love to see them win, They have a bunch of fantastic young guns in Clarke, Hopes, Tait, Cullen, Watson and Jacques, add to this the Experience of Ponting, McGrath, Gilly, Symonds, Lee, Katich and you've got a fairly potent line-up. I think it will again be an Australia vs. India final, lets hope it as exciting as the last 1

It looks like anyone could really win this World Cup. Australia are the number 1 ranked team, but on any given day can be beaten. South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka are really all "Even Stevens". For the last 5 months these teams have all changed position on the ODI rankings. New Zealand was at number 3, dropped to number 7, now back at number 4. Sri Lanka was number 2, now they are number 7. South Africa were number 5, now number 2. Come another 5 months things will have all swapped around again. I think this years Championship trophy should prove very interesting nad will hopefully give us a bit more insight.

Anyway, my picks for the semis in 2007....

Australia
Pakistan
New Zealand
South Africa