The Carlton Tri-Series has ended with a trophy for Australia but does this merit the World Cup favourites tag? Well, yes, in my view. They are top of the ICC rankings, unbeaten in this series and hosting the tournament, so what can go wrong?
Complacency is one possibility, injuries to Steve Smith or the Mitchells Starc and Johnson another. Of course, 50-over matches can be won and lost in a few overs, but the Aussies must be highly fancied to reach the semis. Smith, Maxwell and Marsh have made useful runs, Finch, Warner and Watson are always dangerous, and they have the bowlers to exploit the bouncy pitches Down Under. Oh, and Michael Clarke hopes to return from injury, too.
What about England? Reeling from the Pietersen saga and the sacking of captain Alastair Cook, I'm unconvinced by the promotion of Eoin Morgan to the leadership role. One good hundred, two ducks and a 2 don't build confidence following a poor 2014 in ODIs. On the plus side, I'm pleased to see Ian Bell show what he's capable of, finishing the tournament's top scorer. James Taylor produced two good half-centuries, James Anderson remains one of the most dangerous and economical fast bowlers in one-day cricket and Steve Finn's woes may be behind him at last. Nevertheless they were soundly beaten twice by Australia, once batting first, then in a doomed chase during the final. Johnson still seems to possess the fear factor, at least where England are concerned.
It's easy to forget India are the reigning champions. They lost all three of their completed matches, twice easily dispatched by England. Virat Kohli endured a nightmare few weeks, and his colleagues fared little better. Nevertheless I'd expect them to pick up when the World Cup excitement kicks in later this month.
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka 4-2, and like the Aussies the men in black have a new-found confidence thanks to some great Test results and now coming out on top against Sangakkara and co in Sri Lanka's preferred type of cricket. Williamson, McCullum, Southee and Boult are capable of mixing it with the best of them, but never write off South Africa....
