The holders of the ODI World Cup would not have anticipated being knocked out of the World Cup in the opening league stage.

But that is precisely what has happened, following their losses to the West Indies and Sri Lanka in the first round.

Ricky Ponting and several other Australians had made a big deal about dropping out of the second season of IPL, where some of their retired compatriots such as Adam Glichrist, Matt Hayden and Shane Warne had performed very well. Even the controversial Andrew Symonds, perhaps the best T20 player in their squad but ousted due to disciplinary issues, had done a good job there.

The humiliation of their early exit from the World Cup was rubbed in by English media, despite the host team themselves squeaking by the opening round after having been defeated by newbies Netherlands. This cannot bode well for the competitiveness of the upcoming Ashes.

Insult was added to injury when the Australian team was fined for a slow over rate in the match against Sri Lanka which led to their ignominious exit.

Now they will bide the extra time on their hands by playing obscure English teams which have nothing to gain from preparing them for their upcoming Test series.

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