Australian cricket’s enemy within is a conflict between the objectives and strategic direction of the game in Australia against the best interests of the small group of players who are chosen to carry out that strategy.
Money is at the root of it, but is not the only issue. Other sports successfully see off competitors with deeper pockets.
The greater issue is the poor management of this player pool by both the selectors and the senior management of Cricket Australia.
The injury evidence is clear. Currently, four of the current top five batsman are carrying a back injury that affects their play: Warner, Cowan, Marsh and Clarke are carrying back injuries. Watson’s back injury doesn’t allow him to even bat.
Back and/or hamstring related back injuries are serious injuries that cause problems at the time and can have serious effects in later life.
They also have adverse effects on the team. These injuries not only affect their batting and fielding confidence, it weakens the bowling.
Their fielding support to the bowlers is compromised and they cannot contribute any change up overs to the bowling or respite for the quickies prior to the next new ball.
While Watson is a genuine frontline bowler, the others are simply credible bowlers on their day. For Clarke, gone are the days of his 6-9 on the fifth day. When the hugely talented and deep batting line-up attack Lyon, who can Clarke go to other than the already tired quickies?
The eventual knock-on effect of carrying injured players against strong opposition like India is that the quickies are overbowled and they breakdown, often for months at a time.
Just ask Cummins, Copeland, Johnson, Harris or the recently returned Hilfenhaus. This is further complicated by the fragile nature of the current Australian team and the need for immediate results.
Below is a list of the following tournaments/series currently in progress:
1. KFC T20 Big Bash League (T20 Domestic)
2. Vodafone Test Series v India (Test International)
3. BUPA Sheffield Shield (4-Day Match Domestic)
4. RYOBI One-Day Cup (One Day Domestic)
5. Futures League (4-Day Match Domestic)
The series/matches yet to commence before this summer is over are:
1. KFC T20 INTL (T20 International)
2. Commonwealth Bank Series (One Day International)
Following this cramped summer schedule are the following tour matches:
1. Fri Mar 16 1st ODI – West Indies v Australia (One Day International)
2. Sun Mar 18 second ODI – West Indies v Australia
3. Tue Mar 20 3rd ODI – West Indies v Australia
4. Fri Mar 23 4th ODI – West Indies v Australia
5. Sun Mar 25 5th ODI – West Indies v Australia
6. Tue Mar 27 1st T20I – West Indies v Australia
7. Fri Mar 30 second T20I – West Indies v Australia
8. Mon Apr 2 – Wed Apr 4 TBC v Australians
9. Sat Apr 7 – Wed Apr 11 1st Test – West Indies v Australia
10. Sun Apr 15 – Thu Apr 19 second Test – West Indies v Australia
11. Mon Apr 23 – Fri Apr 27 3rd Test – West Indies v Australia
12. Thu Jun 21 Leicestershire v Australians
13. Sat Jun 23 Only ODI – Ireland v Australia
14. Tue Jun 26 Essex v Australians
15. Fri Jun 29 1st ODI – England v Australia
16. Sun Jul 1 second ODI – England v Australia
17. Wed Jul 4 3rd ODI – England v Australia
18. Sat Jul 7 4th ODI – England v Australia
19. Tue Jul 10 5th ODI – England v Australia
20. Wed Sep 19, ICC World Twenty20 second Match, Group B – Australia v TBC
20. Sat Sep 22, ICC World Twenty20 8th Match, Group B – Australia v West Indies
Of course there is also the Indian Premier League during this time.
The net result is that players play injured and as a result underperform individually and collectively and further damage the reputation of Australian cricket.
Eventually, spectators will realise that the product is diluted, compromised and not worth the entry fee either at the turnstile or on the couch.
Getting the supporters back to cricket will take much more time than it took to lose them in the first place.
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