Ricky Ponting of Australia plays a shot before being dismissed on day one of the Fourth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010. The traditional Boxing Day test is expected to draw a record crowd by the end of play. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Australia will look to start their long climb back up the world Test rankings when they take on Sri Lanka in the first of three Test matches later this month
It has been a dramatic turn of events for the once power nation of cricket, who have lost the past two Ashes campaigns, plus a Test series in India and an embarrassing 1-1 draw with Pakistan in England.
The most recent Ashes series saw Australia lose three of the five matches, with all of them being an innings defeat. Before that, they also lost to India two-nil, after squandering a possible one-nil lead in the first Test by not being able to clean up India’s tail-enders.
These losses saw Australia slip from the reasonable position of third to the lowly ranking of fifth, its lowest since the ranking system was introduced in 2003.
The ongoing England versus India Test series in England was built up as the top two cricketing nations fighting for the number one ranking, which is a timely reminder for Australians, that they are not the force they once were.
This opening Test against the Sri Lankans, on August 31 will be the first time Australia has played a Test match since the calamity of the last Ashes series.
Hopefully, the selectors have picked a side that has a balanced mix of talent, experience and grit, in contrast to the past year.
And more importantly, they pick a team and stick with them, so they will be able to build their confidence and skill level for the future.
jamesb
Guest
ian cricket australias structure needs to be changed to keep up with the times. as far as coaching is concerned, i can't believe a player like phil hughes as an OPENER has come through the ranks with a suspect tehnique. Cricket or batting coaches should've picked up on Hughes flawed technique a long time ago. Also don;t get me started with our lack of spin bowlers. Coaching and development needs to be looked at
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Jamesb, Regarding grade cricket, I see that the Queensland Cup gets on tv sometimes, and they have people pay to get through the gate. Similar for, say, the WAFL or the SANFL. Heck, even club rugby union can get people to pay to turn up. I dont know of any grade cricket game that can charge people, and while thats true, its just not going to have the cash flow to improve. How many grade teams are there ? 100 ? Finally, it'll be difficult to change Cricket Australia's structure when the grounds arent under it's control.
jamesb
Guest
Ian Australian cricket recovery will begin when Sunderland, Hilditch and Neilson are given the flick and are replaced by the likes of mark Taylor, Waugh twins or Shane Warne. Recovery would also help if there is an IC installed where they could implement programs so that there could be strong grade cricket comps all around Australia. Therefore shield cricket would take care of itself If those three wise monkeys Sunderland, hilditch and Neilson remain, Australian cricket will continue to decline
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
If Australia's cricket recovery started now, then a couple more four-day games would be in order, so you can find out which of the fringe players - Beer, Smith, Khawaja to name three - might be able to play Test cricket in foreign conditions.