Is it just me, or is anyone else having a hard time trying to get excited for this year’s summer of cricket?
Personally, I’m more excited about the late spring and early summer of cricket, but I think by about January eighth I’ll be bored and begging for the footy again. Maybe I’m too much of a test match fan.
As much as I’d like to lay all the blame on Cricket Australia, I have to duly acknowledge that, for the most part, it’s not all their fault.
Of the two test series in Australia this year, it is undeniable that the one worth watching will be played first: Australia v South Africa.
These matches will likely be played in front of small crowds, because the series is being played during the school year.
No one is really to blame here. The South Africans are just as entitled to want home games during the peak of cricket season as we are. Unfortunately, the cost is that Australia v South Africa won’t be the main act in our summer.
The second series versus Sri Lanka is watchable. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara are in good form, and are worth the expensive tickets and mid-strength beer at the SCG.
However, if Sri Lanka bring their typically poor away form with them and find themselves unable to adjust to the pace and bounce of Australian pitches, then these three games will be over inside four days.
Keep your fingers crossed that they come to Australia in prime form. If that is the case, the Australians will need to be at their best.
On January eighth, the test season ends and we move to a bombardment of one-day and Twenty20 matches which will have us longing for the tennis on the other channel.
Cricket Australia have a lot to answer for here. Five game bilateral series are a waste of time. Interest is lost after game three, irrespective of whether the competition is still ‘alive’, and the winning nation gets nothing more than a trophy that the Australian public won’t care about.
The worst thing about this summer’s schedule is that once we endure the five match series against Sri Lanka, we have to do it all over again with the West Indies. Enough.
Maybe I’m too much of a cricketing purist, but it seems to me that the high point of the Australian summer will be the early games against South Africa. From that point, it’s going to be a long, slow and boring decline until the final Twenty20 match on February 13th.
Tom
Guest
Having witnessed Shane Warne's 700th on Boxing day, Steve Waugh's last test on the SCG as among some of my favourite highlights in recent years I beg to differ. But I do agree with you. Until a new generation of Australian players establish themselves, its not so enticing.
Brian
Guest
It will pretty much be over after the South Africa series becuase I don't think SL will challenge much at all. They're underpaid players play 12 months a year and I can't see them bringing the focus they would need to challenge in a series here. Malinga retired from Tests awhile ago, Sangakarra can't be bothered to keep etc. Would actually be better if they were playing the West Indies in Tests but I suppose SL gets a bigger crowd because the expats come - certainly at the MCG I would be surprised if 50% of the crowd are going for Australia. Am really dissappointed with cricket scheduling lately after all this we play India again and then have 10 Ashes Test Matches.
josh
Guest
That last Sri Lankan test series was great. The Hobart test was a classic.
Don Corleone
Guest
Is it just me? Or is a personal insult worth a try when all else fails?
Don Corleone
Guest
Yes, you are corrected. It's called 'research'. I believe lower intellects prefer poorly worded, badly researched (proven) pulp...in that case you've certainly got the market cornered, belong to the demographic and need no competition. Perhaps you could have also declared your indifference to Australian cricket, rather than deceiving the reader into thinking you were a neutral observer.
Nick
Roar Guru
Then perhaps you should have written an article for the lower intellects. I humbly stand corrected re: lights. Fyi, I'm a fan of cricket, not a fan of Australian cricket.
When I read through these posts it makes me think you guys as rating the Proteas a little to much. We struggle when we play in OZ.
Don Corleone
Guest
Social media and the internet has really made me realise what a pack of indulgant sooks some Australian cricket 'fans' are. Yes, the good times are over, Warnie, Haydos, Gilly and the boys were human...they couldn't play forever. I'm old enough to remember when Lillee, Marsh and Chappell retired back in 1984...and I can assure people who weren't around then...it was worse being a cricket fan in those 5 years until Border got us back on track in the '89 Ashes... than it has been recently. Cricket fans used to show loyality in the bad times...something that's in short supply these days.
HelterSkelter
Roar Rookie
Don Corleone, I agree with what you say about the Aussie team bashing and if you have time go back in the archive on this website to last year and read some of the comments about Clarke before the start of last season. There seemed to be a certainty amongst many that Clarke was completely unsuitable as captain and that Australia would lurch to disaster with him in charge. Of course it turned out that he did a fine job, but for whatever reason it seems the resentment still lingers among some.
Ashishkumar
Guest
i am very much excited for this season ya am at work i cant even see a single inn, but still am waiting to see Ponting, clark n Mr. cricket to get act. this long season will kill all Aussie fans n am the biggest one of all. thank you for this happiness. i no we (Aussie) defenatelly regain out place that is, No. 1 in all the formats. hit it Aussies.
Don Corleone
Guest
Another link re: lights at Manuka... http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/cricket/redhot-west-indies-set-to-push-manuka-to-capacity-20121011-27g3e.html
Don Corleone
Guest
I agree Quality, I can clearly recall Michael Clarke foregoing IPL and Big Bash contracts to focus solely on his first season of being Australia's test captain...this is hardly a sign of a man putting his 'brand' first in this day and age...far from it. It seems to be 'in vogue' at the moment to mercilessly bag Australian cricket out by people allegedly claiming to be fans...I personally have had a gutfull of it.
Don Corleone
Guest
Then perhaps you should have commenced your article with, "Is it just me, or is anyone else having a hard time trying to get excited for this year’s summer of INTERNATIONAL cricket?"
Don Corleone
Guest
G'day Nick, This article may enlighten you, pardon the pun... http://www.canberratimes.com.au/afl/afl-news/giants-saints-to-light-up-manuka-for-first-time-20121016-27plx.html Lights will be installed at Manuka in December.
HelterSkelter
Roar Rookie
Nick, fair enough if you're not excited about the upcoming season, but could you further explain what you mean about Clarke? I mean how last season did he prioritise his brand over the job of test captain?
Nick
Roar Guru
Cause Clarke is the first captain more concerned about his brand than the job of test captain.
Nick
Roar Guru
As my argument focused on international cricket, I think I can justify not mentioning the big bash.
Nick
Roar Guru
As Manuka has no lights, I will also be looking forward to the day night game. Night session will be crushingly good. There is nothing good that comes out of having January and February bring swallowed by one dayers. A good deal of me would like to agree with you about a resurgent west indies team, but t20 is a game that doesn't expose talent differences like one.
Nick
Roar Guru
Yep, and by early December that is over. clearly you missed the entire point to the article.
Nick
Roar Guru
Hear hear.