Star quality, rather than an interchangeable raft of good ordinary players, will be the key to Aussie cricket getting back to the business of world domination, and inspiring the next generation.
Harris, Nannes, Laughlin, Pomersbach, Ronchi, Hartley… hardly a who’s who of Australian cricket, yet they represent just a handful of a growing cast of Aussies boasting national starts.
So far in 2009, a staggering 41 individuals have represented Australia across the three forms of cricket – a figure that doesn’t include Hodge, Rogers, Jacques, Cosgrove or Krejza. Surely we are not that good, or desperate, to to be dipping into our 4th eleven! No wonder names and numbers on shirts have become de rigueur.
Australia is in a well documented transitional phase, frantically endeavouring to sort the wheat from the chaff. The task is made even tougher by the wall-to-wall fixturing phenomenon. Stakeholders the world over – players, coaches, selectors, administrators, media, sponsors and fans – are all grappling with a major mind-shift as to what form of cricket, and which games matter the most.
Such external influences on workload, combined with indecisive selectors and a clutch of retirements, have brought about a situation where representing Australia has sadly lost its ‘wow’ factor.
That so many have donned the green and gold isn’t all bad. Giving more an entrée to the big time is a terrific boost for the players concerned, and breaks down what once appeared an impenetrable wall around a small, elite group. Taking a punt has paid dividends in the past, and observing who thrives or wilts when the heat is on can prove invaluable.
Bar the odd disaster, most newbies have at least held their own this year, which augers well for the future. What’s more, the decision facing multi-talented youngsters deciding between cricket, and a more readily achievable football/rugby career, isn’t so straight forward.
The downside is players constantly feeling one knock or bad spell away from the axe. Part of the selectors’ role must surely be identifying the most talented and supporting them in a way that sees them fulfil their potential. Collectively, the strength of a close-knit unit cannot be underestimated. When the chips were down, the Aussies of old were even greater than the sum of their accomplished parts.
Whilst injury has been a factor, a revolving door does not a succession plan make. Surely national honours must be earned, not bandied about to any bright prospect whose potential far outstrips their actual catalogue of performances. Are fans and the opposition being disrespected by not necessarily picking the best team available? Isn’t an international match the end game, not the practise ground?
From a marketing perspective, whilst new faces make for a fresh and vibrant package, the hero factor is also a key ingredient. The punters’ wallets, and their kids’ attention spans, will only endure the best of the rest for so long. It’s the hardest of sells this summer, as two barely recognisable tourists battle to compete against an increasingly unfamiliar home team.
A common key to success is striking a balance between youthful exuberance and experience. What Australia really needs to reclaim its mantle is a core of cricketers at the peak of their game. Tellingly, Clarke, and possibly Johnson, are the only players who’ve neither their best cricket in front of them, nor behind them. Time should see a nucleus emerge, but only if the selectors start making the right calls now.
The mistakes are mounting; the costly selection or non-selections of Krejza, Lee, Symonds, Hodge, Hughes and Hauritz have baffled all and sundry. Chief selector Andrew Hilditch now believes that 50 over internationals are stronger Test form indicators than the Sheffield Shield – a new and interesting rationale.
Coming on the back of the most dominant, stable period in history, certainly magnifies the sense of chaos. Messrs Hilditch, Hughes, Boon and Cox have an unenviable task assessing the relative merit of the smorgasbord of players before them.
Hopefully the cream is given the right opportunities to rise to the top, before the green, and old, turn sour.
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