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New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming believes Australia’s slump in one-day cricket means the World Cup, which starts in three weeks, is wide open.

Australia have lost their last four One-day Internationals (ODIs) and have also lost their status as the world’s number one team. Fleming said: “That’s just where international cricket is at the moment. We’re going into a World Cup where on any given day there’s up to eight teams that can win it.”

Fleming, who will lead his team in the final match of the series here against Australia on Tuesday (today), added: “I don’t think the world is focusing on Australia. I think there are other teams in West Indies conditions that will be just as dangerous.

“The South Africans are playing well, we’ve watched a bit of it through Australia and they’ve certainly got the wood on Pakistan. They’re one of a number of teams that can win this World Cup. I have no doubt that they’ll be there or thereabouts,” he added.

Australia’s stand-in captain Mike Hussey said his side’s defeat to England and then losing away to New Zealand had steeled their resolve as they seek a third consecutive World Cup victory. “Now we become the hunter,” he said. We’ll be working as hard as we always do to get that number one spot back,” he added.

Source:The News