With the departure of Glen McGrath, Shane Warne, Gilchrist, Mathew Hayden, Stuart Clarke, Andrew Symonds and Justin Langer, Australians have not been able to maintain the same aggressive unit – Yes, the side has lost its colour, outward look, killer instinct and above all the winning habit.

With the advent of new pace attack, none of the bowlers baring Bollinger looks impressive. Mitchell Johnson, Tait, Harris and Hilfenhaus are very inconsistent and the side does not have the quality bowler to bowl out an opposition and with Hauritz missing in the current touring team, the team already looks like getting beaten against any opposition, atleast in the ODIs. As regards batting is concerned, (a) too much dependence on Shane Watson at the top of the order, and to go with it, (b) the persistence of Mike Hussey and White in the playing XI, though, they have not been consistent in the ODIs, (c) asking Paine to open, though he has not performed in the 5 ODI’s are reasons for a fresh debacle in the Australian line-up. Why Marsh has not been elevated to the opener slot remains a mystery. Having James Hopes as an allrounder, has not brought them any twist to their bowling/batting department. I would like to have Warner in the ODI team, for the simple reason that he is an aggressive opener combined with great fielding skills. At the same time, they have not tested Hughes nor Cosgroove in the middle order. It will not be a shame, if Andrew Symonds has been brought back to the team.

With the World Cup just around the corner, it is already late for the  Aussies to prepare a team with its bench strengths, and currently they are totally underprepared for the World Cup. Sure enough, this team is losing its Sheen!

My Australian Team for the World Cup: Dave Warner, Marsh, Ponting, Clarke, M.Hussey, Brad Haddin, Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson, Andrew Symonds, Hauritz, Bollinger, Hilfenhaus, Cosgroove, Shaun Tait, Smith, Mckay