Aussies Challenge An Unchallenging New Zealand

It was not long ago that the number one team in test cricket- Australia went down 0-2 to India on the recent tour to the same.This series really tested and questioned the Aussies' dominance in atleast test cricket, with the retirement of the key Aussie players at almost the same time just added fuel to fire.After that, Ponting's words meant that he would be playing tough cricket in the day to come.Of course that is anyway obvious for any team that has lost so badly which questioned its strength and guts.But, that is now the past.Now that Aussies are found them- selves back winning ,Ponting thinks that he's back with a bang after the recent 2-0 whitewash over New Zealand.

Its is true that Australia defeated New Zealand 2-0 at home.But, now the question arises whether New Zealand were or are up to the challenge posed by the mighty Aussies?What is the place that the current New Zealand team commands in the ICC test ratings?If one takes a look at the recent ICC test ratings, New Zealand is placed in the eighth position, only behind Bangladesh.And if one thinks that Aussies have dominated the test series, its mistaken.I don't find anything special in a test match, wherein the number test team beats a last placed team. And, had Australia beaten New Zealand in New Zealand, I would have given them a consolation. But, now Australia were playing at home.So....?

With the current test situation being so horrible in the cricketing world, it would not be tough for the Australian team to get back to their winning ways.Right now, there are hardly any teams who plays good test cricket.Only teams like India and South Africa are really equipped to face the challenge imposed by the Aussies.Australia has lost to India 2-0, meaning that their challenge means nothing to India and are forced to agree that India are a far better team.Now, in the days to come,Australia will be facing South Africa, which would be a better challenge for them.But, even this series is played at home for Australia.So, even an Australian win might not command their position in people's mind who have their own ratings for teams.

And, if one takes the last 4-5 tours that Australia have played test against New Zealand, we would find that Australia have just swept the New Zealand.In 2004- 05,Australia beat them 2-0,with a match drawn, owing to bad weather.And the same year, New Zealand were thrashed 2-0 when they toured Australia, 3-0 in 1999-00 in New Zealand.The last time New Zealand won a test match against Australia was way back in 1992-93 in Christchurch by 5 wickets.So, I now leave it to people to judge themselves regarding the might of the Australian team.A real test would be when Australia leaves to South Africa from february to April next year.