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        These are early days yet in the Super Eights of the World Cup but the impression has gained ground of the Aussies on course to keep their appointment of a historic third straight triumph. New Zealand and to a lesser extent Sri Lanka look to be the ones capable of pushing the Aussies.

        That means discounting the South Africans, who made such heavy weather of a seemingly simple task against the Lankans. The Cup aspirants almost choked under the mesmerising spell of Lasith Malinga. Reminding much of Shoaib Akhtar in the way of releasing the ball, the Lankan has it in him to bowl the death overs.

        There was logic in former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga's criticism of the captaincy of Mahela Jayawardene. Failing to provide a slip for Malinga when South Africa's last pair was in and the late induction of Muralitharan showed Mahela in poor light, was Ranatunga's observation.

        Two straight defeats have put the hosts almost out of contention. The team has looked poor without the Gayle-factor taking the opposition winds out of the sail.

        Former Australian cricketer and respected commentator Ian Chappell felt the team's undoing is in the top order not coming good. 'Seldom you find the top five Aussie batsmen coming a cropper the same time. For me, that looks to be the invincible factor separating the Aussies and other teams.'

        Still there is hope of a Lara theme song humming with all delight in a now-or-never situation. And the minnows - if one could still call Bangladesh and Ireland in that manner - still to get into the act the summer is not over yet.