Why Australia will have a shocking World Cup

My thoughts on Australia's preparation for the World Cup, expressed by the eloquent Peter Roebuck:

Not so long ago England were chastised for treating the Champions Trophy as a plaything. Apart from the insult to other teams, it was an error of judgement that made defeat in the Ashes almost inevitable. Winning is a habit, and the same applies to losing. England did not recover or even select approximately their strongest side till the Ashes had been lost. Once it has taken hold, poverty of thought is as difficult to remove as a merlot stain.

The Australians have made the same mistake as the Poms. Far from concentrating on matters in hand, such as the tri-series and the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, they have focused on preparing for the World Cup. John Buchanan publicly stated that training has been organised with the Caribbean in mind. Again the result has been predictable. Ponting's distracted outfit was walloped in the finals of the triangular event it was hosting and a weakened side has been trounced in New Zealand. Australia have had their comeuppance.

Far from establishing the best XI, the selectors and team management have fiddled around, making it difficult for the bowlers to maintain their good form, or improve their poor form. Two players were palpably not match fit before they were selected for the finals and they have predictably struggled since. The team has completely lost its momentum after five straight wins in the Commonwealth Bank series. The last six games have only resulted in a single victory. But still, the complacency exists among the players and the coach.

I can't help but feel that the disregard for the Commonwealth Bank and Chappell Hadlee series will be a significant reason for a poor World Cup performance by Australia.

Cricinfo Headline

What is wrong with the following headlines?
New Zealand romp to 10-wicket victory
Bond leads New Zealand to 10-wicket victory

Surely the victorious team should get the headline?

England's chance

From Simon Barnes of The Times:

The England cricket team are in the position of a person who charges back into a burning house to rescue the baby and comes out with the cat. It’s a nice cat, and you are fond of it, but it’s not exactly what you went in for. Still, there’s not much you can do except stroke it.

No England cricketer will leave Australia with pride. But at least this fabulous run of two victories in as many matches gives them back the feeling that they are real sportsmen, the knowledge that good things can happen as well as bad.

England has one last chance to salvage something from a horror of an Australian tour. They've won just three games during the entire summer, but they may well be striking form at just the right time. Unfortunately, they will have to do it without the calm leadership of Michael Vaughan, who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Adam Gilchrist's blog

A link to Gilchrist's blog on his official website:
Gilly's Blog

Of particular note is his continued mispelling of Glenn "Glen" McGrath's name! He has also written brief tributes to the retired quartet, and the Australian team in general.