Richards Writes off Aussies

Speaking in Bridgetown Barbados ahead of the opening to the tournament, Sir Viv said that if Australia had not lost six of their past seven internationals, he would be tipping them to win the World Cup.

“If they had won all their matches at home then done the same in New Zealand then I would say that a World Cup defeat would be an upset”, he said.

Richards also rated the Australian side under Steve Waugh as stronger than that under Ricky Ponting, though said that Waugh’s side was still not as strong as the fabled West Idies teams of the 1970s and 1980s.

“They held Steve Waugh in great stature and rightfully so. Today, they do not have the same volume in termd of depth and quality as in the past. The pride was dented by England and New Zealand. They were hit hard”.

Australia face England on Friday in their last warm-up match before the tournament proper begins.