It was been a week since Australia lost the test at the Oval and consequently the Ashes. It has taken me that long to face the truths that currently face Australian cricket…but one of them is not to sack Ricky Ponting.
Don’t get me wrong, I am still gutted over Australia’s capitulation at the Oval. However while losing an Ashes series hurts to the core; for the sake of Australian cricket it can not be looked upon in isolation.
If it isn’t apparent that Australia is going through a rebuilding phase, the fact that we have lost three of the last four series should make it abundantly clear.
We can take heart in the fact that the margin in those series losses has been one test. This means that this rebuilding phase will not be as painful as the one that took place in the 1980’s.
It also means that despite many panic ridden opinions to the contrary, Ricky Ponting should still be captain. Calls by the likes of Dean Jones to bring back Shane Warne to captain Australia would be funny if they weren’t actually serious. Remember, this is from the man who thought it was a good idea to rev up Curtly Ambrose by asking him to take off his wristbands in a one day final in Sydney.
While the heir apparent, Michael Clarke is not yet ready to be captain. This Ashes series saw Clarke mature as a senior Test batsman. To give him the captaincy now would not only set back his development as a future captain but will no doubt have an adverse impact on his batting; at a time when stability and consistency in the middle order is critical.
To me, the key issue is that we are still trying to play to a blueprint that has served as well over the last decade but without the personnel to execute successfully.
Let’s start with the batting. I said at the start of the series that Australia’s top six had to fire consistently to win the series. Lord’s and the Oval are evidence of what happens when they don’t.
Come the first Test in November, we must have a specialist opening pair. Selecting your opener to provide cover for your opening bowler is not the formula for a successful partnership despite Watson scoring runs – none of his starts led to the big hundreds you expect from an opener.
Michael Hussey’s century should not mean that scrutiny over his form should end. His poor form is one of the primary reasons Australia lost the Ashes and if he doesn’t perform against the West Indies he should be dropped.
As for the bowling, I will admit that when the team was announced for the Oval, I was happy as it was the only lineup that had managed to bowl England out twice. Whilst saying that, the wicket did warrant Nathan Hauritz playing and it was a mistake to leave him out.
The question that remains unanswered is what is the role of the spinner? Is it to control an end or to take wickets? Is it Hauritz or Krejza? A decision needs to be made on this and once made, back the man to the hilt.
What is also clear is that Mitchell Johnson, as Peter Roebuck has previously suggested, should not be rested. He is one who needs the miles in his legs to perform. That he didn’t get his groove back until the back end of the third test hurt Australia greatly.
Finally, this is a relatively in-experienced side and one that will fluctuate as they learn about the trials and tribulations of Test Cricket. As such, our expectations should be reset and patience will be a necessary requirement for all concerned.
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