Australia's seeds of doubt

Australia's batting fell apart against Sri Lanka

As the best Test side in the world and reigning World Cup holders, Australia automatically enjoy a lofty reputation in limited-overs cricket.

But their thrashing at the hands of Sri Lanka in Colombo is a tacit reminder that it is something of a bloated one.

Sri Lanka humble Aussies

Whereas their superiority in the Test arena is rarely challenged, the shorter game in recent times has exposed them as a team that blows hot and cold.

At their best Australia can beat anyone, but their Champions Trophy exit should remind anyone thinking of backing the favourites to win the World Cup to think again.

Pakistan roared to victory in the Colonial Stadium series

Dominant displays in South Africa in March and against Pakistan and Kenya in Nairobi have been punctuated by indifferent displays elsewhere.

For a team blessed with gifted batsmen, their paltry 162 in Colombo was the third time in 12 matches they have been dismissed for less than 170.

The alarm bells started ringing for Australia when they failed to qualify for the VB Series on home soil at the beginning of the year.

Imponderable in the modern era, the home side were forced to look on as neighbours New Zealand and South Africa slugged it out in the final.

Thrashing

Australia's failure there was forgotten when they travelled to South Africa, without the Waugh brothers and with Ricky Ponting as the new leader, and completed a 5-1 series thrashing.

But just when it seemed Australia had resumed normal service, they were again given a lesson on home soil - this time by Pakistan.

After winning the first match of the three-contest series, Australia were left floundering in the next two as their betting fell apart in the face of quality bowling.

Ponting is a skipper with much to ponder

Pressure came to bear on selectors to reconsider the Waugh situation, but they stuck to their guns and did not pick them for the Nairobi series.

It was there that Australia yet again appeared to be on the way back, predictably having no trouble with Kenya but also taking a disappointing Pakistan side to task.

Australia looked on course for victory in the final before weather intervened, and again they dominated against New Zealand and Bangladesh in the group stages of the Champions Trophy.

But then came Sri Lanka and an inept batting performance that showed a lack of discipline not normally associated with Australia.

Granted, Sri Lanka were always likely to be much more at home on their own wickets, but this should not detract from the fact that Australia have plenty of thinking to do.

Australia being Australia, there is every chance they will pick themselves up and be a major player in the World Cup.

But worringly for them, the fear they strike in opponents in the long form of the game is simply no longer there when the pyjamas are worn.