More than 100,000 students are currently studying a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in India and the way Mickey Arthur, Pat Howard and co. want to manage Australian cricket, there could be a case for making MBA mandatory to all Cricket Australia’s contracted players.
The banning of four players for not submitting a report seemed odd at first but if the Argus Review is to go by, this could be a trend Australian cricket is set to follow.
The Argus recommendations are based on running a professional company rather a cricket team, so delivering presentations has suddenly become a standard management procedure.
At the time the review was conducted it seemed like a bright idea but since it was implemented the cricket team has faced its toughest period and the blemishes in the report are becoming exposed.
Further reading also illustrates Australian cricket’s plan to imitate the program run by the England Cricket Board (ECB).
It advocated the shift from a laid back, fun loving, and tough on-field cricket to the English style of methodical approaches and proficiency.
Perhaps it is a just the nature of modern day sport that demands for such approaches but it also probably stops the development of natural cricketers such as a Merv Hughes, David Boon or even a Darren Lehmann.
It, rather, promotes multi-skilled cricketers such as a Glenn Maxwell or a Steve Smith.
Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey were specimens of the old culture and while their presence still existed, so did the traditional Australian culture. But since the retirement of Hussey and Ponting, the new policies of the Argus review have taken over.
One has to wonder how many weeks Andrew Symonds would have been banned for his marathon boozing session in England or how many times Shane Warne would have been suspended for not submitting reports.
The feedback was also an essential part of the John Buchanan regime but even Shane Warne didn’t become a victim because Buchanan was a terrific one-to-one coach.
The homework saga is a perfect example where the players have been punished for minor discrepancies in the cricket as a whole and displays poor player management.
The constant goal-setting and task-management is yet another reminder Cricket Australia is driving the game into a business organisational style approach.
If the coach needs feedback about team performance from individuals, shouldn’t it be done via one-to-one basics in the team’s room rather than through expecting some formal documentation?
Then it became clear it was not just a one-off instance and other factors, such as not wearing the appropriate training gear, also contributed to the four players’ suspension.
Once again, this is not a business and the only presentation players should be judged upon is the runs and wickets they contribute.
The Argus Review also hinted injured players needed to be managed in a different manner and the new strategies derived by the new administrators have become an international laughing stock.
The injuries and the rotation policies are part of this new procedure which were never suitable for Australian cricket.
Peter Siddle bowling in the current Test series is prime example.
Instead of playing Shield cricket leading up to the Indian tour, he was advised to practice in indoor academies with temperature set to replicate the Indian weather conditions.
The result is there to be seen – Australia’s go-to man has struggled to make a dent in the Indian batting order.
Furthermore, as Michael Clarke seems to be the only one to shine from this program, what will happen if he loses his magical touch?
It is no doubt Clarke has created his own dynasty with his recent form but even Mr Argus will tell you a CEO of an organisation can fall downhill as quickly as he rose.
Luckily Clarke’s batting and captaincy has shown the way, but the minute it declines the long term goals set in the Argus review could need an overhaul.
Having a past cricketer as an administrator and having an Australian coach might be the start the team needs.
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