Australia has remained number 1 team for more than 15 years and barring a stray competitive series no one has been able to break their hegemony over the number 1 spot. In recent times, after they lost series to India and SA and SA displaced them from number 1 ICC ranking, there has been a talk of Australia going down as a team.
I think it is wrong to say Australia is no longer the number 1 team. 2008 was not a good year for them. They lost to India and SA but 2009 has started on a right note. They have regrouped and defeated SA and Pakistan in one day series. The team's strength can be judged from the quality of players who are not part of playing 11. Consider the current series where Australia have beaten Pakistan hands down. There is no Ponting or Hussey or Johnson, arguably the best players of the team. Clark has lead the side admirably in Ponting's absence. Moreover let us consider some other facts:
1. Some of the other extremely talented players like Warner, Hodge, Katich are playing in IPL and are doing very well.
2. Players like Gilchrist/Hayden retired last year and their places were taken by new players players
3. Lee is not playing due to injury.
Australia will remain number 1 team for a long time considering a second string team, without regulars, has defeated Pakistan comfortably.
Next post - Can India become number 1?
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