CRICKET'S World Cup is ready to burst into action this weekend - and this time, if the pre-tournament hints are anything to go by, it could be a cracker.

The Australians were humbled by South Africa in a warm-up game this week and while you cannot read anything into training games - and that is all the warm-up matches are - the indications are there that the once great cricketing nation is on the wane.

England thrashed them in the Ashes and while the Aussies claimed token revenge by claiming a one-day series success, I can't see either team seriously challenging for the trophy when the final is finally contested on April 2.

Sport is all about peaks and troughs, highs and lows. Australia are now slipping after many years of being at the top.

They have been a brilliant team - and they can still perform as good, if not better, than anyone when everything clicks.

Naturally, things don't click every time they play.

The South Aficans, on the other hand, are on the up and are a good bet for the crown.

And maybe if former Nelson pro Robin Petersen becomes the star of the show then the knockers who poured scorn on him when he was at Seedhill will be silenced.

Bring it on.