This time around it won't be easy for the beleaguered Australians
to defend their World Cup title for more than one reason.
First, their successive defeats at the hands of New Zealand
that made them lose number one spot in the ICC ranking must have discouraged
them. Secondly a sea change in the nature of pitches in the West Indies
may prove nightmarish for the Aussie speedsters.
Lee and Tait have speed but they lack control as was enjoyed
by great Australian bowler Glenn McGrath. This could prove fatal as the
pitches in the Caribbeans have become slower in recent years.
Most of the Australian players, barring Ponting, Gilchrist
and Hayden have little or no experience of playing at slow track. They may face
problems in playing spin wizards like Muralitharan and Kumble.
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