Let’s face it, as I look through the two teams and how they have performed during this two-match series, one has to seriously think about why the ICC aren’t seriously thinking about splitting the test teams into two divisions. No one wants to see cricket that is horribly lop-sided, and it can’t be good for the development of New Zealand cricket to be dealt such heavy defeats.

Here are the rankings out of ten for the players in the series in batting order.

AUSTRALIA

Shane Watson – 5 – It is so hard to really give a player a ranking off one game, but Watson played well when he got the chance, making a brisk 65 in Australia’s crucial second innings in the second test. He bowled very little, and given that he only played one match, must have a tired body after a long Southern summer.

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See the highlights of the ODI series between New Zealand and Bangladesh on World Cricket Watch.

Second ODI

Australia lost for the 5th ODI in a row at the MCG yesterday thanks to an unbeaten 61 from Grant Elliot. The fact the Aussies were defeated is not their main concern, however. Having only amounted 225 in their 50 overs for the loss of 5 wickets Michael Hussey(75), aka “Mr. Cricket” seemed more than content with their efforts convinced they’d got enough. The main reason for his optimism being a ‘two paced wicket’ making run scoring tricky if not impossible.

On an admittedly slow wicket, Michael Clarke (98) and Michael Hussey shared a 133 run partnership for the fourth wicket with an apparent lack of risk taking and scarce boundaries. They seemed quite happy to just see the scoreboard ticking over against a disciplined yet tame New Zealand bowling outfit.

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Australia had to overcome arch rivals and relative minnows New Zealand to take back their one day crown. However they looked a team short of confidence without that usual swaggerthat’s got them so far. Australia failed to impose themselves on a youthful Kiwi outfit that recorded a 2 wicket victory only setting a measly target of 182.

The Kiwis were made to sweat for it and Daniel Vettori sealed the victory with a boundary from the last ball following a hard fought 64 from Ross Taylor.

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