Stop press: Cricket Australia, whose empire has ruled the game for ten years, can be beaten. And the way to do it is not to be intimidated, be aggressive, positive and innovative.

New Zealand just about managed that in Sunday's One Day International at the WACA. In reply to Australia's 343 for five, they finished up on 335 for five, thanks  to a fine century by Jacob Oram and a typical Brendon McCullum quickfire knock.

The Kiwis' batting display showed that Australia's achilles heel could be their much talked-about bowling. This is not the first time that the Australian attack has been thrashed all over the park - New Zealand did it to them during the Chappell-Hadlee trophy in 2005, when the Black Caps overhauled 331.

There is, of course, also that incredible match in Johannesburg a year ago, when Australia made a world-record 434 for four. South Africa utilised the benign conditions to win by one wicket and make history. So read my lips, the Aussies can be beaten.