The great fear factor that exists within the circles of Australian cricket has returned. Ask any modern cricketing expert and they will tell you that the great fear has always been that their would be a return to the dark days of the 1980’s.
The 80s were the lost years in Australian cricket. Our performances on more than one occasion made Bangladesh look like a fearsome Test nation.
Most concerning, however, is the return of the paranoia. The fact that a blonde, tubby retiree is being bullied into coming out of retirement is testament to the effect that this paranoia is having.
The paranoia has also created a negative atmosphere. Suddenly first class cricket is not up to standard, young players aren’t producing and the spin bowling department is like a cue at an unemployment office. How can anyone prosper is such a negative atmosphere?
The cold hard facts aren’t really that bad. We lost two Tests to India in a competitive series. Against England, we have only lost a single Test, although the manner in which we lost may be under scrutiny the most
To avoid paranoia and fear taking hold, Australian cricket needs to back some of these young players and encourage positive performances. As part of this, they need to select and stick with juniors, rather than send them back to a product that by their own admission is not doing the job.
Australian cricket needs to place trust in its players and the performances that they can deliver.
Remember the retiree took 1/150 in his first Test? They still want him back.
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