Based on the current CB tri-series and other one-day tournaments since last October, the current Australian team are cricket's undisputed one-day champions.

Though Sri Lanka made it to the final of the World Cup last year, I'd rank them below India, based on their performances.

The real test of strength comes by competing on neutral grounds. Both India and Sri Lanka have played against each other in Australia and in general, the Indian team has had the upper hand with Tuesday’s victory over the Lankans to ensure a place in the final against the Aussies confirming this.

'The Australians hold their nerve better and deliver when under pressure'


Australia made sure of victories even when their batsmen failed, India ran them close but Sri Lanka have a huge mental block.

They seem to play with a ‘giving-up’ attitude when they face the Aussies, whereas the Indians believe in themselves and take the fight into the Aussie camp.

The encounters show evidence of this. Though the results mostly went the Australians' way, each game was a real test of nerves. And the Australians, under Ricky Ponting, hold their nerve better and deliver when under pressure.

Only when other teams figure out a way to stay and fight under duress, can they claim to be better or equal to the Aussies. The true test of strength comes when facing a champion side. And the results have to show on a consistent basis.

Right now, there is no team, other than the Aussies, who have shown the degree of consistency needed to be crowned as world champs. After Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist retire, the Aussie line-up has enough in reserve to fill those voids.

David Hussey could develop into a threatening batsman, thereby making up for Hayden's loss. Andrew Symonds can take apart any bowling once he has settled in, Michael Clarke can play according to any situation.

In the bowling department, Brett Lee’s firepower is highly effective and even though the South Africans are the second best in the world, their top order is susceptible to pace.

England lost to a depleted New Zealand team mainly because their bowling was weak and lacked penetration. New Zealand might find it hard to keep players, some of whom are opting for the riches of ICL.

India’s young team have done reasonably well. If they keep up the momentum, they might come close to the champions.

My world rankings are: 1. Australia, 2. South Africa, 3. India, 4. Sri Lanka, 5. England/New Zealand, 6. West Indies/Pakistan 7. Bangladesh/ Zimbabwe.