The Australians are shooting off at the mouth too often. After nine Tests without a win it’s time to they focus solely on improving their own game.
Since the Ashes were regained by England, players James Faulkner and Mitchell Starc have had potshots at their opponents, while coach Darren Lehmann has seemed intent on sledging the Poms.
After first labelling Stuart Broad a “cheat” for the infamous incident in which he didn’t walk after being caught at slip, Lehmann last week aimed fire at the English style of cricket.
When asked what he thought of England’s play during the recent series he described it as “dour”.
He then added that “at times I’d like to see their over rates picked up”.
Ironically, both of these criticisms were very relevant to the manner in which Australia went about their business in the Ashes.
They, like England, were often guilty of getting through their overs far too slowly.
Every international team regularly commits this same crime and it is a major issue for Test cricket which has been allowed to fester by the International Cricket Council.
If Lehmann is disturbed by England’s over rate he should instruct his side to set a better example.
The coach should ensure that Australia’s over rate is so healthy in the upcoming series that it either forces the Poms to match it or shames them by comparison.
Lehmann has previously stated that he is intent on any side he coaches playing attacking, entertaining cricket.
Nothing is less attacking or less entertaining than crawling through your overs.
As for his reference to England’s ‘dour’ cricket, he should be preaching to his players the value of adopting such a style on occasions.
I am not a fan of the way England plays Test cricket – I find it often boring and sometimes cynical. But it works.
I would hate to see Australia become a pale imitation of the English side.
However, they should be willing to implement facets of the Pom’s approach when necessary.
The Aussies need to learn to grind out a Test – either to stave off defeat or to maintain a stranglehold on their ascendancy.
Australia had first innings leads in four of the five Tests in the Ashes yet came away without a win, although admittedly the weather did not help in some instances.
The batsmen largely were to blame and, as has been the case in recent years, their impatience and desire to counterattack was often their downfall.
Compare that to the batsmanship of Ian Bell, who repeatedly came to the crease with England in perilous situations and guided them with circumspect play stripped of arrogance.
Bell was prepared to score slowly early in his innings in the knowledge he would flourish once well set.
Would Lehmann consider this dour cricket? I’d rather describe it as sage.
In any case, England’s supposedly ‘dour’ play has repeatedly saved them from defeat in recent years after they have found themselves being dominated.
It has also ensured they have rarely given up winning positions in the same generous manner as Australia.
In the same interview in which Lehmann made the ‘dour’ comment, he also praised his side for having made progress during the Ashes.
That is undeniable – the Aussie batting improved over the series and the bowlers adeptly implemented wise strategies for most of England’s batsmen.
Lehmann should forget about the whingeing and focus on maintaining this upward curve in performance along with attempting to iron out the obvious deficiencies in Australia’s play.
Praveen
Guest
Agreed, boof was a fantastic batsman and especially good against spin
Disco
Roar Guru
"The criticism becomes valid when you don’t win" Bang on.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Yeah definitely Tatah the younger guys need to realise that Gilchrist, Ponting and Hayden were all-time greats...not everyone can dominate bowlers the way they did.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Let's hope so.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Fingers crossed
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Yeah if you could mix Cook's off field stability with Clarke's on-field flair you'd really have something.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Yeah it's disgraceful.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Yeah Smith seems to enjoy a scrap.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
James I think spanning out bulk retirements like that is the way to go. If everyone leaves in a short space of time the team is left to flounder with half of the players rookies trying to find their way. Phasing older players out gradually is a better idea.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Bearfax Australia's bowling was great in the Ashes but I do worry what will happen if Harris gets injured and Patto isn't back to normal and is still bowling medium pace.
Praveen
Guest
I have web very impressed with smith as well and hopefully he fires on our fAster pitches which haven't been his strength in the past, I think he will. Khawaja can also do very well as he plays pace well but we need to give him a full series
ChrisUK
Guest
Oh Australia's bowling is good (not that I'll admit that to Ronan) so no shock they did well. Always a hard call jsnt it? Did they play well, or did we play poorly? You never really know the truth.
Bearfax
Guest
Difference between Smith and the other rising batsmen, is that he walks onto the field and you sense he believes in himself, he doesnt look intimidated. Hughes and Khawaja at present look intimidated and Warner still lacks the ongoing discipline. Hughes and Khawaja are as talented as Smith with the bat, but they've got to stand their ground and not allow the bowlers to think they can get their wickets easily. Warner, has shown he can be very disciplined, but then he lapses back into unnecessary shots that get him out. All four have got what's needed but only Smith seems to be finally blossoming. Hopefully wont be too long before the other three follow his attitude.
Bearfax
Guest
Always does depend on how you look at it Chris. But Australia's bowling was at least competitive with England on this occasion which I think is undeniable given the English bats, other than Bell struggled against Oz bowling. This was a big change from the last series. Our batting was still struggling but Rogers did firm it up quite a bit and Smith showed some signs of maturity. But still a long way to go in that department.
Tatah
Guest
In an odd way, if anything the way in which the great Australian sides of the 90s and 00s played their cricket has had a detrimental impact on following generations. The way in which the batsmen of that era dominated attacks at 4 to 5 an over was exceptional. Few sides have managed to do that on a regular basis I'd suggest bar the great Windies sides, Invincibles perhaps. I think that today's yoof were brought up watching that and it became the norm to them. The norm is test cricket is hard work (presumably) and sometimes, perhaps a lot of the time, you have to battle to score your runs. These guys assume they have to score at 5 an over or get out. There's something about Lehman as a coach I like, but I agree he's got to zip it for now.
James
Guest
and lots of football teams in england and europe manage it quite well year in year out. CA guys must have met sir alex at some functions for team of the year awards, speak to him or a few other european football managers who do it a few times.
James
Guest
hence why i said fired or told when they would be leaving. they needed to say, you have a year you have a half a year etc it took 6 years for everyone from that team to leave. it needed to have been done quicker. it was not handled well.
ChrisUK
Guest
Yep me too. I think it'll be a much more entertaining series all round.
ChrisUK
Guest
Nudge, it's just not unusual for them to pump up someone in the opposition in that commentary box, and especially the captain. They do it all the time, and pretty much every England captain has suffered. They get a lot more gung ho when they retire. It's moaning to a fair extent. Whingeing if you like. Atherton, Gower and Hussain are a lot more circumspect - and don't forget Warne went off on one about Cook being a shocking captain as part of his campaign, only to look daft when Bresnan got rid of Warner. That doesn't mean for a second he's beyond criticism, and there are things that annoy me about him too. I'm just saying that it goes too far. For Clarke to be given a free pass over something like all those runs Bell scored to third man beggars belief. Ronan - now that's a very good question and well posed. I guess a combination of the two. Cook clearly seems to less divisive off the field, makes fewer mistakes on the field, but lacks the dynamism of Clarke (can't imagine him ever declaring behind like Clarke did recently - which even though it didn't work was clever stuff). If England were the weaker side, then Clarke without a shadow of a doubt. As the stronger side it's less clear cut. To give a straight answer to a straight question, yes, I'd probably have to say Clarke overall. But not off the field.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Haha maybe that is taking things a bit too fair...but I do agree we need to learn to not always try to play attractive cricket and be prepared to graft when necessary.