Ever since Australia were knocked out of the T20 World Cup, I have asked myself, and some friends, the all important question: Who'll mourn for Australia?

Each and everyone of them seem to agree that they will not be missed. I admit that among the people who I asked questions, three were British! I could not have agreed more with them.

The messages had already started flowing in as soon as the match got over. It also seemed that some were waiting to update their status messages on Facebook and Twitter with their take on what their reaction to Aussie loss was.

I can't remember when did the Australian team find itself in the company of Bangladesh and Scotland, being eliminated in a tournament at the earliest possible stage. I have read about Zimbabwe beating Australia in the 1983 World Cup. They were not world champions then. But now it is not the most illustrious company that the Australians find themselves in.

Part of the problem is not difficult to understand. Adam Gilchrist, Mathew Hayden and Shane Warne have retired almost as if they had planned it together. Andrew Symonds, yet again, preferred off to display his skills outside the cricket field, being sent home in the process.

Ricky Ponting had had the odd problem or two in keeping his attitude at a latitude that did not offend others.

Sportspersons are heroes and when they play the game fair, when they don't get arrogant, they are loved by all.

In the 1970s and 1980s, remember the team that the West Indies were? The feared pace battery - Andy Robers, Joel Garner, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshal, Vanburn Holder - and a batting line up that had the likes of Gordon Greenidge, Desmond Haynes, Viv Richards, Clive Lloyd, Richie Richardson and Augustine Logie. They were loved for their genius, they enjoyed their game and, importantly, they did not sound arrogant.

West Indies did not lose a single match in 1975 and 1979 - the first two editions of the World Cup. They lost for the first time in a World Cup match to India and almost won the World Cup despite that. But for Kapil's Devils, they would have gone ahead and won the trophy for the third time running. Their domination in the initial years of limited overs cricket won them friends, not enemies.

I remember reading reports in the newspapers about England losing 15 consecutive test matches to West Indies in the 1980s (in one of those tests at Antigua, Richards scored a 100 off 56 balls). Even that did not generate the ill will against the Carribeans because they behaved like champions and not like street fighters.

Sri Lanka's transformation as a champion side in the 1990s did not evoke that antagonism from anyone either. They were not as destructive as West Indies but who can forget Romesh Kaluwitharana and Sanath Jayasuriya opening the batting! Murali was booed because the tiff that the Lankan captain had with the Aussie umpire after the spinner was called for chucking. Barring that, even the Australians realised that they were a champion side. As it turns out Murali has overtaken Warne, an Australian, as the highest wicket taker in test matches.

I was reading a post by Bydon Coverdale of Cricinfo.com and his observation was particularly noticeable. "Prior to the tournament, Australia played six Twenty20 internationals this year. The matches meant nothing but they were the perfect chance to give the likely squad members plenty of practice. Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson and Andrew Symonds each managed only one of the six games, either through injury, being rested or for disciplinary reasons. Michael Clarke played only twice, Michael Hussey was given three matches off and Ricky Ponting was rested for two. The selectors thought that was enough preparation for this group of players to form the core of Australia's World Twenty20 campaign. It's an Ashes year, they said. Australia had a hectic schedule. The guys needed rest."

Coverdale refers to the Aussie attitude. Let me give you an example of the attitude of another world-class player, a South African.

Lance Klusener burst into the international scene against India in Kolkata in 1996, with a match winning eight-wicket haul. Soon, his heavy bat was talking more than he did. He almost won the 1999 World Cup for South Africa with that same heavy bat, till the team decided to choke. It seems he could not handle the success since, by 2001, his poor form meant that his place in the side was in danger. Players had also complained that, at times, he also ignored practice sessions. He last played for South Africa in 2004. He tried to revive his career by joining the rebel T20 league, ICL, and also played county cricket but nothing helped.

As West Indies and Sri Lanka realised as a team and Klusener as an individual, the attitude decides the latitude. They were mostly loved. Unfortunately, Australia, as a team, are not.

Just to remind those who may have forgotten. During the last T20 World Cup, Australia were knocked off in the semi-finals. This time, they did not even make it past the first round. Unfortunately, like the Davis Cup, they will not be relegated to the regional zone. But what direction is Aussie cricket now taking is quite clear.

I will not miss Australia in the T20 World Cup. Will you?