By ICF Staff
January 30 2009

The Proteas, playing their second-string team, have ousted the Aussies from number 1 position in ODI cricket, following a 4-1 destruction in the Aussies own backyard WACA.

South Africa were playing the 5th and final ODI without Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis. They still scythed through the suspect Australian top order  after posting 288, taking the series 4-1.

Following the defeat India inflicted on Australia in the tri-series last season, and series defeats to both India and South Africa in Tests, the Australians have plumetted to number 3 behind the two leading cricket nations in the minds of most fans, regardless of what bogus ICC rankings would have you believe.

The task for Australia is to claw back from a deepening hole following the retirement of some of their best players. Ponting has proven to be the shallow leader he always promised to be, and the question must be asked whether he should continue to lead the team or simply play his part as batsman.

Ponting's bizarre continuing support of abusive alcoholic Symonds should place a huge question mark on his moral benchmark as leader. Aside from the losses to which he has led the team, and his own failures at crucial points in the match, surely his failings as a captain will now be questioned.

Even IPL would do well to revise downwards the high salaries being given to Australian players at a time when they have rarely looked worse, on field and off.

Aussies Ousted from #1

Discussion started by Indian Cricket Fever (IP Logged), 30/01/2009 22:30

Indian Cricket Fever
30/01/2009 22:30

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Birbal
30/01/2009 23:43

CI the Aussie Support website reports that Australia will bounce back to No. 1 when they win the first ODI versus New Zealand... and then have 4 more to consolidate their grip on No. 1...

So SA will enjoy No. 1 status for a few days at most...

This is precisely the sort of STUPID system that I criticized in my article about how the ICC system needs to be scrapped...

Scrap Ridiculous ICC Test Rating System

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Indian Prideâ„¢
01/02/2009 12:55

And now the Kiwi's beat them at home as well..

how the mighty have fallen..!! :-)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:02:01:23:44:05 by Indian Pride™.

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Spirit of Cricket
01/02/2009 14:34

LOL. Ponting & Clarke contributed 5 and 12 respectively.

These guys are finished.

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Indian Prideâ„¢
01/02/2009 23:43

A new era have has begun..!!

Ponting has taken a world beating team of champs
and is slowly turning them into a team of chumps..!!!

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