Cricket: Waugh denies disharmony in side

By RICHARD BOOCK in Brisbane

Steve Waugh's grip on the Australian team was under the spotlight yesterday as the fallout intensified over his side's third consecutive tri-series loss.

The 23-run defeat at the hands of a weakened New Zealand team in Sydney on Thursday night left the Australians languishing at the bottom of the table without a point and in real danger of missing out on their own tournament final for the first time since 1996-97.

Disappointment five seasons ago proved the catalyst for the axing of tests stars Mark Taylor and Ian Healy, and a rebuilding programme which culminated in Australia's World Cup success at Lord's in 1999.

Now, having lost a third consecutive ODI to New Zealand, something no other Australian side have managed since the 1982-83 World Series, Waugh's seemingly bulletproof combination are sporting more holes than a Swiss cheese, and the batting lineup appears particularly vulnerable under pressure.

In their three matches so far, the Australians have conspired to lose six for 41 in the series opener at Melbourne, six for 34 against South Africa at the same venue, and six for 38 against New Zealand at Sydney, exposing the fragility of the middle and lower orders.

Having shelved the ever-so-slightly arrogant rotation policy, the Australian selectors are faced with finding a combination which can climb out of the mire, although it is worth noting that no other side have qualified for the tri-series finals after losing their first three matches.

The Australian media reacted predictably to Thursday night's defeat, and cast the spotlight on what might be the start of a strained relationship between Waugh and his selection panel.

Under the headline "Waugh denies rift as Australia slump again," the Daily Telegraph concentrated on a lengthy discussion between the Australia skipper and chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns a couple of hours before play started at the SCG.

The suggestion was that Waugh wanted Matthew Hayden to partner Mark Waugh at the top of the Australian order, but that Hohns wanted debutant Ryan Campbell facing the new ball instead.

Steve Waugh said afterwards that his pre-game chat with Hohns, who had earlier had a long discussion with Australian coach John Buchanan over the composition of the team, was nothing unusual. "We normally have a chat together," he said. "The side is fine, we just didn't play well enough."

The Sydney Morning Herald also highlighted the white-hot pressure surrounding the Australian camp, with a headline which reflected Waugh's sentiments: "No crisis, but Kiwis on top," and cricket writer Phil Wilkins' belief that the hosts were largely the authors of their own misfortune.

"By dint of dropping four catches, conceding a one-over penalty for a slow over-rate and allowing man-of-the-match Chris Harris some latitude late in the innings, Australia kept New Zealand in a game which seemed lost for the tourists before a ball was bowled."

In The Australian, the headline was "Kiwis tighten one-day noose."