GOING DOWN

Aussies are nose-diving in Tests: Botham

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I feel Twenty20 should be bottom of the shelf," Botham said. © Cricbuzz

The England-Australia rivalry in cricket has endured well beyond a century. The arch-rivals revel in putting each other down, on the field and off it. When Steve Waugh, former Australia captain, was asked about which team has been able manage the three formats of the game the best in his view, his immediate response was 'Australia'.

Soon after, while talking to Indian journalists on the sidelines of Laureus World Sports Awards, legendary England allrounder Ian Botham had a very different take on the world cricket scenario. "The England team is in a very healthy position right now with several players is their 20s and they have been playing for a while now. But Australia...they are living on borrowed time in the Test arena. I think they are definitely nose-diving at the moment. From what I gather after talking to a few people, they are not too optimistic about what's coming out of the hut there."

When reminded that Oz were the top Test side in the ICC rankings, Botham said, "I don't understand this ranking system. In my mind, England and South Africa are the two best teams at the moment."

Botham also had a word of caution for the Indian team. "I am disappointed with Indian cricket right now. Cricket is more than just a 20-over game, they need to understand that. England's contests with India always used to excite me but right now, I don't know what to say," he said. "Test cricket is the real thing but there is shelf life for every format. I feel Twenty20 should be bottom of the shelf," Botham said.

© TNN

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