Aussies favourites, India dark horses

Australia

Is it the lull before a tempestuous storm? Six loses in seven matches is unheard of in Cricket Australia. The form wheels have hit the skids after an overkill of cricket. Most sides feel that this is their best chance to topple the world champions.

The most-feared sword arm in the game, Brett Lee, has been ruled out of the World Cup. To say it is a big jolt would be an understatement. Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke are also swabbing their bruises.

However, barring the aberrations against New Zealand in the one-dayer at Wellington and the finals of the Commonwealth Bank series, the batting has been in fine fettle. Matthew Hayden has reclaimed his position at the top of the order.

Michael Hussey is blazing away, almost unremittingly. Adam Gilchrist is dusting his jacket but it is a matter of time before some team is made to pay dearly.

The bowling looks rickety. Stuart Clark is not in the same league as Lee. Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson, prodigies in their own might, are still tracing their first steps in big-time cricket. Glenn McGrath has looked jaded, while Shane Watson has not quite found his bowling mojo after a long layoff.

The fielding, usually layered on supernaturality, has looked disenchanted.

Yet, on mental fortitude no team comes remotely close to Australia. The recent setbacks would not have blunted their talons (Read: Australia, post Ashes-2005).

In Ponting, they have the best voice in the game. Moreover, the Kangaroos are reputed to be the supreme travellers – a quality that sets them apart from the rest. We back them to fix the loose toggles before the tournament.