Australia’s annihilation of the England team and their successful reclamation of the Ashes has been brutal, authoritative and unrelenting.
Ever increasing and vociferous are the waves of support that have been flooding in for Darren Lehmann and his troops, with every England implosion met with derision and merriment by Australian fans left so badly wounded by recent failures.
And yes it is quite right that success in sport is there to be cherished and this current crop of ambassadors of the baggy green deserve every platitude that is currently being thrown their way.
And yes it is quite right too that we focus on the positives and doth our hats in the direction of this Australian team, and acknowledge that the brand of exciting and aggressive cricket that they have played has been just too hot to handle.
But it is also worth taking a step back for a moment and considering whether this Ashes series is as much of an indictment about the state of the current England side, as it is an indicator of just how good this Australian side is.
With Jonathan Trott’s return back to England with a stress-related illness being closely followed by the recent announcement by Graeme Swann of his retirement from all forms of cricket.
Not to mention the constant rumours and uncertainties surrounding Andy Flower’s future, it is clear that this England side arrived with a camp whose focus and desire was clearly not as it should have been.
Added to that the declining fortunes of three of their most senior and influential players in Kevin Pietersen, James Anderson and Matt Prior, and the picture of a fiercely determined England side desperate to inflict defeat on the Australians becomes clouded by an image of a team at a pivotal moment both in terms of their futures and their desires.
So yes, the brilliance of Australia’s cricket and the positivity pulsating through the Australian team is something to be enjoyed.
But scratch below the surface into the mind-set of the England camp, and this was an England cricketing disaster waiting to happen.
The baggy green has once again been instilled with pride and accomplishment.
But let’s re-assess this Australian team’s right to dine at cricket’s top table after their tour of South Africa in February 2014.
Peter
Guest
Dont agree about Duminy....cant remember when last he got more than 20 runs for batting....and Robbie Petersen is more consistent,although expensive at times as a bowler.And he's been batting way better than Duminy.
Peter
Guest
It might come as a very good reality check to Australia when they arrive in SA.It most certainly wont be a walk in the park.Not even Darren Lehman ot any of the sledgers banting is going to hide any flaws the Proteas can find in Aus side. Losing Jacques Kallis at this critical time will most certainly be felt....but if Duminy is ditched and De Kock added to side and Proteas go with full on seam attack....Aus could find it a wee tall order to roll over Proteas the way they did England.... Only time will tell whether Aus will still be cocl-o-hoop after SA tour!!!
Clavers
Guest
The loss of Kallis will force SA into quite a different team structure. Perhaps their best option is to play four specialist quicks backed up by the offspin of Duminy.
IndianCricketFan
Guest
i think india can beat this south african team (wink wink)
Jimmy the fish
Guest
that's all well and good but the main thing is the mongrel and spirit Australia has lacked for a few years is back. that's a pretty good breeding ground for any future success. just enjoy it.
Hi Rhino, I have no doubt that OZ can beat us, we aren't invincible, however getting back on top takes more than just one good summer.
Charging Rhino
Roar Guru
Ha ha. Yep :-) Lost 1 series in the last 24 series played. Won 16, drawn 7. Since 2006. But if anyone can beat us its Australia hey Biltong. They're the only side that has beaten this team, albeit a lot of the Aussie players have changed and a couple SA players too.
Larney
Guest
We didn't get beaten badly at all. Two games would have gone our way but didn't due to rain. One game came within 14 runs. That's no thrashing, same can't be said so far over here.
Tony Loedi
Roar Guru
People who watched that series in England realise that we didn't play that badly but still managed to lose 3-0. But beating the proteas at home is going to be extremely difficult
How do you work that one out? We've lost one series in the last six years, how many have OZ lost?
Tony Loedi
Roar Guru
If we beat the Saffers over their then we will be no.1, maybe not in the ICC rankings but realistically we would be
Hayley Wildes
Roar Pro
Let's not forget how badly Australia performed in England. Things can be turned around very quickly, but hopefully not in England's case. I can't wait to see how the Aussie's go in South Africa, that will be the real test.
I think you'll need more than a series win in SA and the Ashes to be back on top. However things are looking up, no doubt.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Yeah they'll have to prove their contention for the number one spot after defeating South Africa in South Africa. But also if they want to show that they're number one then they can't just play the two or three teams year in and out. It has been a while since they have played a test series against Pakistan who have also beaten England just over 12 months ago. Send the Australian team to the UAE to play some tests in those conditions which should also help train them for when they go over to the Sub-Continent again to play India.