Australia has made a rousing start to their title defense with the annihilation of Scotland and confirmed to the world that they are indeed serious contenders for the title.
 
All their hiccups against New Zealand seemed like they were sorted as Gilchrist and Hayden got them off to an outstanding start and the came Ricky Ponting who scored his 23rd ODI hundred and propelled the Aussies to a competitive total. Ponting’s innings, in fact, has raised questions whether he really is the best batsman in the world. And despite his statement that it is Tendulkar, neutral followers would be inclined to think otherwise.
 
Glenn McGrath was the other highlight for Australia with his usual accuracy and he also managed to surprise the Scottish batsmen with his pace and bounce. But the fact is that he is the strike bowler for Australia and no one else. Certainly not Shaun Tait who sprayed the ball all over the place and in general looked like a rabbit caught in the headlinghts!
 
Contrary to belief, Scotland wasn’t all that bad. Although they were bowled out for 13-odd, they showed some fight. And had it not been for the last three overs in the Australian innings that cost over 50 runs, Australia could well have been held to a score of under 300. But that’s experience!
 
For Australia, there is the one small problem, though: the middle order. Clarke, Hussey and Watson didn’t look very confident and it was Brad Hogg who hit out in the last few overs. But there is enough time before their match against South Africa to correct this. Bottom line for the main teams: don’t write Australia off!
 
Kenya and Canada was the other match and after an initial hiccup, Kenya showed their greater experience and rallied through to trounce Canada by seven wickets. Steven Tikolo (72) and Maurice Ouma (58) were the main men as they ensured Kenya did not suffer a collapse!