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Perth: Australia may have lost their No.1 ranking in ODIs to South Africa after their 39-run defeat in Perth, but they have an opportunity to reclaim that position when their five-ODI series against New Zealand gets underway.
South Africa are back at the top for the first time since April 2008 and held the position for a brief period. The gap between the top three sides is steadily narrowing, with India also in the picture. They are currently five points behind South Africa and Australia in the ODI rankings and a series victory against Sri Lanka will push them further towards the top.
In two Tests in November Australia outplayed their rivals, but the gap usually narrows for 50-over contests. Officially Australia are now No. 2 - a win on Sunday will push them back to first - while New Zealand are fourth, but guessing where the hosts really fit is as tricky as working out why the local middle order has been so unproductive at crucial times.
Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand captain, is pondering the option of using two spinners and promoting Kyle Mills to No. 7 for the opening ODI against Australia on February 1 in Perth.
Vettori's plan might alter depending on the conditions at the WACA, but he was pleased with Patel's efforts in the disappointing warm-up loss to the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra.
Michael Hussey showed a return to form in Perth after a disappointing season and Australia want him to purr following their mid-innings struggles. His 78 was carefully planned, coming from 96 balls.
Daniel Vettori is always a menace for Australia and they have already shown this summer that they struggle with tight, controlled slow bowling. Johan Botha posed regular problems during the South Africa series and Vettori should do the same. In 46 matches against Australia he limits his runs to 4.21 an over, which is an excellent return considering the batsmen involved in previous years, and averages slightly less than a wicket a match.
