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Australia on the rise again

Much like the recession in 2009, it looks like the recovery for the Australian cricket team will be much quicker than anticipated. Their batting had shown a few cracks but the development of Shane Watson into a Test class opener and the rediscovered form of Hussey and North leaves them quite solid, though back-up is a bit thin. On the one-day front, though they've never really let up since the 2007 World Cup, the recent blooming of Cameron White and Ryan Harris coupled with the re-emergence of Nathan Hauritz has made them even more formidable. They've also finally found the right personnel for their T20 side with the likes of Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes, David Warner, and David Hussey.

However, it is the Test bowling line-up that leaves me most impressed. Any other team would struggle to replace men like Brett Lee and Stuart Clark but Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus did so almost seamlessly (no pun intended!). And now, with those two injured they've unearthed Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris. This is really the key aspect that makes them so hard to beat. The other 'contenders' for the top spot really struggle when their first choice bowlers get injured or lose form but Australia always finds men to take 20 wickets. Dhoni, Smith, and Strauss must all be quite jealous of Ponting at least in this regard. Replacing Hayden and Symonds with Watson and North has been no less crucial though I feel they still have not exploited North's bowling abilities fully.

All in all, I will be surprised if in the coming year, Australia do not achieve at least two out of the big three - winning the T20 world championship, regaining the Ashes and then retaining the 50 over World Cup.

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