From a New Zealander's perspective, it seems a lot in the past 2-3 seasons in ODI's there's only been a 5-10% difference in most games. Some games Australia, as they do to everyone, have blasted us out of the water. But in most, its been relatively tight. In my opinion, the two key differences are:-
* Australia's fielding and running between the wickets. I genuinely believe John Bracewell's philosophy is all about negating that - the fielding against the Pakistanis was second to none, and the running between the wickets bordered on cheeky.
* Michael Bevan. I can't count how many times he's played through the last 20 overs, and in seemingly impossible positions pulled Australia through. I remember a game in India he got only 50 odd, but it righted the ship when Australia were 4-60 chasing 240 odd. Against other teams, from 4-60, its all over red rover. Against Bevan, its not. In the World Cup, theres no way conceivable from 7-83 Australia could win. Bevan got them into the position where Lee could thunderbolt us. In our last World Series venture where NZ won 3-1, the one game we lost was when Australia was 6-80 chasing 230 odd, and Bevan did the unthinkable and pulled a game out of his rear.
He's just absolutely phenomonal. He seems to have a clear temperament, and an ability to think situations through. Thats the mark of a top notch player. Plus, a player who's able to be overrated doesn't have 60 odd first class tons to his name and an average of nigh on 60.
