When the media began to leach off Shane Warne and his unique Ashes battle with English actress/model Elizabeth Hurley, we cried for our cricketers to change their ways on the WACA deck in attempt to reclaim the headlines from Warnie.
The Adelaide Test allowed England to slap the underdog tag on Australia and left our cricketers clutching at straws, but when thrown in the deep end, Australians of yesteryear will tell you that’s where we thrive as a nation.
The WACA is renowned for devouring teams on the brink of destruction – a reputation derived from the 2006 series where the English laid dead. Some four years later, the tables were turned; the WACA looked set to fatally wound Ricky Ponting’s men.
There was to be no heroes look about the Australian team, no figurehead or spark, just eleven backs against the wall. The situation called for a Warne, Glenn McGrath or Steve Waugh-type cameo, however this Australian team could only boast a Michael Hussey get out of jail free card, but we hide behind the reality that one day this Ashes that might expire.
The Australian selectors happily danced another wave of questionable talent in front of the Englishmen – Steve Smith, Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson all thrown a chance to reign as Australia’s saviour. Our Ashes campaign was sounding more like a fairytale each day.
At the close of the first day, Australia’s surge for a must-win in West Australia took a beating at the hands of the English bowlers. Betting organisations threw in the towel for the Aussies, with some paying out a series win to England well before the result would be known. Soon enough, we became more interested in Ian Botham versus Ian Chappell, after the two reportedly locked horns earlier in the week.
Australia went on to win the Test convincingly and in doing so wrestled back some of the ascendency in the lead up to the much anticipated Boxing Day Test. In the three days that followed that first day, a polished Australian team would take the field with the belief that a team effort could win them a ticket back into this fight.
Trying to perfect something is by no means easy, and for the selectors of the Australian cricket team, this is one task they continually work to master. This Ashes series, unlike many others, selectors have had the task of moulding a team together with many unproven Test cricketers.
Amidst all the pressure and claims to stick with one Australian side, the selectors continued to rework each piece of the puzzle that is this Australian team. This may take away from consistency within the team, however it is the inconsistencies that have given Australia the edge this Ashes series. England have been confronted by new look squad every Test, and adapting to the pitch in combination with the style of each opponent is made further difficult by continuous alterations.
This imbalance in the Australian squad may have played a role in their success in West Australia. Their approach to Melbourne may hold the key to the result of the match.
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