So where do the Aussies go from here? The Australian cricket team has just dropped to fifth on the ICC Test rankings for the first time. There is sure to be some substantial rumblings about the ills of the team, and no shortage of advice for the quick fixes.
Unfortunately, there are no quick fixes for a team that has simply come back to the more competitive pack. A whole generation of Australian sports viewers has been completely spoilt with a cricket team that was easily the best.
Steve Waugh’s all-conquering squad was good enough to rival any team to have previously played the game. His lot took over from Mark Taylor’s superb team, then they were succeeded by Ponting’s first troupe of players that was equally as fearsome for opponents.
It should be no real surprise that the Aussies have returned to being merely competitive with the other powerhouses of Test cricket, especially as it was widely predicted by most experts when Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist, Hayden and others retired from the game in rapid time.
This is, however, cold comfort to those who are not used to seeing Australia regularly beaten, or for that matter even out played for three or four sessions in a row. Surely any nation’s sporting teams’ success should ebb and flow, following a conventional cyclical nature, like a stock or property market.
From the early 90s the Australian team has more resembled the Sydney property bubble. Their team’s recent burst after years of nothing but highs has left most fans feeling deflated and dejected.
Recently while watching the Test series in India, which I thought actually quite gripping and well-contested, I found myself defending the Aussies and Test cricket in general to a number of friends who were close to disgust that the Aussies were not dominating. One comment that still rings in my head was “we can’t even beat India anymore …”
I pointed out that we were playing the number one ranked team in the world on their home ground and that in effect we were just one wicket away from a win.
I could still only see the face of a baby deprived of their lollipop.
The Test team to play at the Gabba won’t change much form the most recent side. This is not my opinion of what should be the case; just what I think will happen. There may be one sacrifice, either North or Hauritz, but other than that (and the replacing of George with a fit Bollinger or Harris) the selectors will keep the faith for the first Ashes match.
The vast majority of complaints I have heard during the last two years of Test cricket have been regarding the Aussie’s middle order. It is probably true that if the middle order had fired more consistently our bowlers’ results would look better (as would the captain’s, no doubt).
Extra valuable runs from Hussey, Clarke and North would more than likely have won us a few more Test matches.
When you look at Clarke’s average of 52+ over the last two years he doesn’t seem to deserve the criticism, I think some might be confusing his T20 form with his Test form. Hussey and North (and to a lesser extent Ponting), have just simply not been up to the very high standards that Australian middle orders have set themselves.
The Australian conditions should suit us better, and it is likely the selectors think stability is the way to go rather than to blood a younger player in an Ashes contest. I mentioned early that there is no quick fix, so I won’t dare contradict that and offer one. But I do want to point out that not all is bad with Australian cricket.
Quite the contrary when you scan through the lower rungs of our system.
Without wanting to raise the ire of Victorian readers, it is heartening to note that as always NSW has a terrific amount of young and exciting talent. Without doubt a number of them will be pushing for selection in the national side in the next couple of years.
There is a chance that over this summer, even after including the team’s high national involvement, NSW may field a team brimming with youthful ability such as any combination of the following 14 (age in brackets): Openers- Hughes (21), Maddison (18); Middle order/all-rounders – Khawaja (23), S. Smith (21), Rohrer (28), Forrest (25), Warner (23), Henriques (23); Keeper- D.Smith (28); Spin- O’Keefe (25); Pacebowlers- Copeland (24), Hazelwood (20), Starc (20) and Cameron (at 29, the oldest).
This list is not exhaustive but all of these players named have had very solid starts to their representative careers, whilst some have been spectacular.
In my calculations, at least, four will be pushing very hard for the next Ashes tour in 2013, and I could not count out any of these with 100 per cent certainty.
Add to this list, impressive performers from other states yet to be tested in the premier format, such as Ed Cowan, Michael Klinger, Nathan Rimmington, and the Marsh brothers. Not to mention Cameron White who is yet to get a crack a Test cricket as a batsmen and Callum Ferguson who, before injury certainly looked able to mix it with the rest of the cricketing world.
It is also important to note that the Sheffield Shield (thanks for bringing the name back Weet-Bix), is still the best breeding ground in the world, and one of the reasons why we forged such formidable sides over the last 15-20 years, and the main reason why fans should be supremely confident for a steady turn of fortunes for Australian cricket.
Currently there are many positives and I doubt whether it will be long before Australia is back to the top of Test cricket.
Lolly
Guest
I don't know about that. There is the WA team in there who are not really up to it. They make up a sixth of the comp and they hardly provide decent competition or a real test of character for the young players in the other Sheffield Shield teams.
Fisher Price
Guest
Yawn.
Fisher Price
Guest
Steve O'Keefe's decent. Cockley, Starc and Copeland too.
Sports Writer
Guest
I thought you'd never ask Will...thanks for the vote of confidence. You will be first in line when I need a good opinion on a player, like McDonald for example. We already have Hilfy why would we need two medium pace seamers in the team??
Lolly
Guest
How late is too late? Mike Hussey's ODI form is completely camouflaging his mediocrity in test cricket at least in the selectors eyes. I have no problems keeping him in the one day team, he's never really dropped off form there but I see real problems ahead with two left-handers in really poor form at 5 and 6, it is going to put so much pressure on the tail. But as not disturbing the team is so important, the line-up will be the same as Mohali except with Haddin in for Paine.
Will
Guest
Why don't we just get you to pick the team? Im sure we'd never lose then?
Lolly
Guest
Will, if they replace either of our shaky left-handers in the middle order, they shouldn't automatically put in another just because he's scoring the most runs right now.
Sports Writer
Guest
Katich is dangerously out of form at the moment and I agree Watson might be better used lower down the order. Why not go back to the Aussie double-lefty opening partnership?? Hughes was given the arse long before he had any real chance to prove his worth, and if you combine him and possibly even Phil Jacques at one and two you might stumble across another cracker combination. As for our bowlers, Hauritz has not earned his place in the side and will be replaced by young Smith, while Johnson needs to be made to watch hours of old McGrath or Clarke footage to see how fast bowlers should bowl in a test match. I say get rid of Ponting and the entire selection panel before they turn our team into a complete joke
BarnabusXI
Roar Rookie
No, I wasn't really trying to suggest that, Lolly. I personally would like to see some changes in the middle order. I don't think North has done enough to hold his place. Also I think, that Hussey's competitiveness has dropped off far too much in Tests. To be fair though his ODI form has still been good, so I'd leave him in that team. But i was really trying to say that we have plentty of depth of talent to bring into the side. Unfortunately, I think the selectors may have left it a bit late coming into the Ashes to tinker. Steve Smith is a player of the future. Also we have some gun openers waiting in the wings if you want to move Watson down in the middle order. WIth Watson doing such a superb job at the top, again i think the selectors might be loathe to tinker with that formula.
Timmuh
Guest
Krezja can't even hold a spot in Tas side. Doherty was playing Shield cricket ahead of him by the end of last season, and no spinner was selected for the washout in Brisbane.
BarnabusXI
Roar Rookie
I completely agree Vinay that Sheffield Shield isn't what it used to be, because all the top Australian players are almost never playing. That includes both Test and ODI squads. However, I still think it is the best domestic long format cricket competition in the world.
Timmuh
Guest
I think that is a very good point. Players who play both Test and limited overs for Australia go for many years without playing a Shield game for their state. State players don't compete against the best in the way they used to. eg Has Ponting played a first class game for Tasmania this century? I think he has played about 3 List-A games and that might be the lot.
Will
Guest
I think the most important thing is not to rush into changes. There is still 6 weeks before the Ashes begin. Plenty of time for people outside the team to push for selection in the shield. There are still a number of ODI games to be played as well. Every fixture will give another chance to impress. Either way, I feel either North or Hussey have played their last test, especially if one or both struggle in the shield once they return to Australia. At this point, young Kwaja would be the favourite for a berth in the middle order. Although, Phil Hughes could also be another option. Perhaps Katich could drop down the order to give it some stability. Hughes and Watson would make a dynamic opening partner. I think it's important to maintain a left-right hand combination at the top of the order. Those two I feel, are the only two genuine chances of getting selected as one of the top 6 batsmen for the Ashes. I'd also like Haddin back into the fray. I think Paine is slightly over-rated as a batsmen; his looks good, but he only has scored 1 FC century and I feel his too slow as a batsmen, especially for the number 7 spot. Haddin is an attacking batsmen, and a better player of spin then Paine. As such, fitness permitting, Haddin should get the gig. The spinning position is also up for grabs. Hauritz, O'Keefe and Smith are all contenders, and every outing will be a chance for each of them to press their case. Enough talking. I'll name my team for the Gabba. Hughes Wason Ponting Clarke Katich North Haddin McDonald Johnson Bollinger Hilfenhaus Andrew McDonald is another one I think we should reconsider.
jameswm
Guest
Krejza struggles to make the Tassie Shield side. Jacqures needs to score some serious runs though I think he's better than Hughes right now. I saw them bat together last year and Jacques left Hughes for dead. Not the worst batting line-up NSW have at full strength - Jacques Hughes Katich Watson Clarke Khawaja at 6 Smith at 7? Haddin at 8? Hauritz Bolly Hazlewood Frankly I'd dump Jacques for a quick or a fast-bowling all rounder like Henriques. What outrageous depth. And have I missed anyone? Apart from Bracken, SClark, Lee etc?
Lolly
Guest
Spot on Vinay. That is exactly what is happening, that is why it's only when someone is injured that new faces are entering the team.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Jacques has had a few injury plagued seasons (back issues). Don't know about Krezja.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Sheek Absolutely. I used to look forward to a Summer of Cricket. Now apart from the Ashes I find myself often switching over to watch something else. It's not the game that's putting me off. It's the sheer quantity of it in today's world.
jameswm
Guest
Khawaja is the next batsman in line, depending on how they treat Smith. He went to England and has made big scores since. Ferguson got injured at the wrong time. I think he's all class based on his highly impressive ODI performances to date, but he has to get into Shield cricket and score consistently.
warlach
Guest
Amen to that!
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
warlach, I wish I wasn't.