For the second time in two days, the World Cup was racked by shock, and dismay.

Yesterday, it was the premature exit of Pakistan from the Cup; today, the death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer – a man who believed Pakistan had what it took to be the best in the world, and that he was the man who could help the team attain that status.

Meanwhile, out in the middle, business as usual was resumed, with Australia taking on the Netherlands.

There was much speculation before the game on whether Australia – smarting from having lost its number one ranking in one-day cricket to South Africa on the eve of the World Cup – would try to outdo the Proteas in clobbering the men in orange.

Whether such a possibility was discussed by the Aussies or no is unknown; out there in the field, the Aussies showed no signs that such an agenda was on their minds (in the event, they didn’t – South Africa made 353/3 in 40 overs that day; Australia today made 358/5 in the full 50 overs).