Is this really happening?

Fleming hails 'amazing day'

Two thumping wins over the best team in the world and a neighbour with whom you share a spicy rivalry is reason enough for joy. But as it came on the back of seven losses in eight games in the CB series in Australia recently, it is little wonder Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand captain, was moved to call his side's five-wicket win at Eden Park an "amazing day."

"It was an amazing day, great for the game and great for us to get across the line in a big-scoring match," Fleming said, after his side had chased down 337 to clinch the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy with a game to spare.

Before this series, New Zealand had only won two of their last 22 ODIs against their Trans-Tasman rivals, a run stretching out over five years. In less than a week, they have doubled that tally.

South Africa take over top spot

South Africa have replaced Australia at the head of the ICC ODI rankings following Australia's five-wicket loss to New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland. It is the first time Australia has slipped from the top spot since the rankings began, in October 2002.

Australia's defeat was their fourth consecutive defeat - the first such sequence since 1997 - and fifth in their last six matches. South Africa on the other hand, have been in stunning form, having won seven of their last eight ODIs (with one washed out). Even if Australia win the final match of the Chappell-Hadlee series, in Hamilton on Tuesday, it will not be enough for the side to regain top spot.

- Cricinfo, 18th Feb '07

Hmmm ..... things are shaping up nicely just before the World Cup.

EDIT: And this is what happened today .....

Stunning McMillan seals whitewash

New Zealand 350 for 9 (McMillan 117, McCullum 86*, Fulton 51) beat Australia 346 for 5 (Hayden 181*, Watson 68) by 1 wicket

Craig McMillan and Brendon McCullum blasted New Zealand to another massive run-chase as they negated Matthew Hayden's 181 and inflicted a cleansweep on Australia at Hamilton. The home team flew to 350 with only one wicket to spare on the back of McMillan's 117 and his 165-run partnership with McCullum.

Their second-innings 340 at Auckland on Sunday - which was the second-highest chase in ODI history - was bettered again as McMillan showed contempt for the Australia attack despite coming to the crease at 4 for 41.

- Cricinfo, 20th Feb '07

Australia's bowling ineptitude

Australia lost to South Africa in Johannesburg last year after scoring 434 for four - then the highest total in the history of limited-overs cricket - and have since lost three times to New Zealand after scoring more than 330.

Australia made 336 for four in Auckland on Sunday and lost by five wickets with eight balls to spare, lost in Christchurch last year in a similar run chase and were beaten on Tuesday after posting a third massive total.

In each case, the ineptitude of Australia's bowling attack was the key factor of the match and Australia now heads to the World Cup with its confidence in tatters and its No 1 world ranking conceded to South Africa.

New Zealand whitewashed Australia in a limited-overs series for the first time and increased Australia's anxiety ahead of the World Cup.

- NDTV, 20th Feb '07