Bond with the Best!

Picture perfect - Ain't it? Shane Bond pulverized the Australians to the levels of a mere club outfit as he took 5 for 23 off ten magnificent overs as they plummeted to their first ever 10 wicket defeat in limited overs international cricket. Sharp pace bowling apart, Bond took a superb athletic catch off his own bowling (see image) to dismiss Cameron White as well another catch in the outfield to cap off a wonderful match winning performance. Fleming and Vincent finished off the formalities in style as both of them cracked unbeaten 70s in the run chase.

First it was the Poms, and now it is the Kiwis. Australians now have an achilles heel - and it was Vincent who had first pointed it out. Yeah - it is their over confidence, and it has hurt them badly alright! Minus the key players, they are a bunch of tentative, insipid cricketers who have a lot of vulnerabilities in all the departments of the game. With the World Cup not too far away, 4 defeats in the past 5 games does not sound a happy verdict for the current World Champions. It can get worse - another loss in the next two games against the Kiwis would mean the Australians will be replaced by the South Africans as the number 1 team in the world. You guessed it - with 33 wickets against them in the last 10 games, there is plenty of motivation for Bond again! He is simply the best.