Aussies on the wane; Proteas, Kiwis new Cup contenders: Richards

Sydney, Feb 27 (UNI) With their invincible aura fading, former South African skipper Barry Richards feels the Australians are no longer the top title contenders at next month's World Cup after the resurgence of the Proteas and New Zealand.

''Ever since England won the triangular series in Australia, a lot of people have been saying that Australia are going to come back even stronger. I am not convinced,'' Richards was quoted as saying in 'The Herald Sun'.

''A lot of the other sides see the Aussies as a team with stars of the past nearing the end of their careers. They now believe they can beat the Aussies -- and none more so than South Africa and New Zealand,'' he added as he downplayed the Aussie chances of bagging a record third World Cup in a row.

Richards felt apart from the crumbling Australians, the other teams likely to struggle are the ones who are well aware of their coaches leaving them after the World Cup.

''Apart from Australia's John Buchanan, there are four others in the exit lane -- Bob Woolmer with Pakistan, Duncan Fletcher with England, Greg Chappell with India and Tom Moody with Sri Lanka,'' Richards said.

''The players know this and you have to wonder how it will impact on their preparations. How do you respond to a man who you know is leaving?'' he explained.

UNI