Australia's cricketers set to dominate again

Australia have quietly created the best one day team in the world. The Champions Trophy winners will be aiming to win their fourth consecutive World Cup next year and will surely arrive in the subcontinent as tournament favourites.

That seemed unlikely early last year. India won the 2007/08 Commonwealth Bank Series and twin series defeats by South Africa the following winter, separated by a drawn series with New Zealand, suggested the team's transitional period was going to be a long one.

However, since losing in South Africa they have won 24 of their last 29 ODIs, beating Pakistan (twice), England and, most impressively, India in their own backyard. They were by far the best team in September's Champions Trophy.

Ricky Ponting credits this improvement to their impressive pace bowling attack and the Aussies' strength in depth in this department is indeed enviable. Brett Lee, Ben Hilfenhaus, Stuart Clark, Nathan Bracken and Peter Siddle are all currently absent, but they have not been missed as Doug Bollinger, Ryan Harris, Clint McKay, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson have filled their shoes admirably.

Watson has been a pivotal figure, a frontline performer with bat and ball. He recorded three straight ducks at the beginning of his team's winning streak last year but has since passed 40 eight times in 13 innings, a run that has included two centuries. He is also back to his best with the ball.

Ponting is slightly out of nick but can still be relied upon for regular contributions, while Michael Hussey's Test troubles did not affect his ODI form. Cameron White has been a revelation and Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin have been typically reliable.

Nathan Hauritz has made the spin bowler's berth his own, and he has also brought lower order runs to the party, so it is clear that Australia have a balanced and strong team in all conditions.

The inconsistency of India and South Africa should ensure Australia's cricket World Cup odds make them favourites for the competition. Another victory would surely be Ponting's most satisfying as the Baggy Green skipper rates success without his legends more highly.

In horse racing news, the build up for the Grand National is well underway and the handicap weights are due to be published soon.