Shuffle at the top

As Australia pile up their losses this time a last-ball defeat to New Zealand,that too at home they must wonder if the glee streaming across the rest of the cricket-playing world after their string of losses to South Africa is too overdone. It cannot be explained by citing some human impulse to vicariously enjoy the defeat of the favourites,can it?

After all,just on Sunday night,Roger Federer failed to grab the Australian Open singles title and equal Pete Samprass career haul of 14 grand slams. Yes,he came to Melbourne months after being deposed as world number one,and his rival,Rafael Nadal,arrived at the final strong after an epic semi-final. But history was to have been on Federers side,former champions said so too. But,of course,he lost. And as he wept disconsolately,so did we. So did Nadal,looking almost apologetic to have caused a heros disappointment. So why this disdain for the Australian cricketers? They have,do recall,brought to their sport an effective and highly entertaining work ethic. In their decade-long reign at the top,they thoroughly professionalised cricket,they speeded up Test cricket by routinely clocking a brisk four runs an over. And they were never boring,on or off the field,unlike,well,South Africa. Mystifying,then,this joy that South Africa defeated Australia in Australia in both the Test and ODI series.

Not really. Australia,ever since they took over the cricket mantle from the West Indies in the mid-90s,have been the team to beat. They have been the touchstone of excellence; to beat them is to be successful. Thus the happiness as other teams now sniff the chance to enjoy their next Australian summer.