Australia’s Ashes winning streak against England shows signs of ruthlessness hiding beneath the surface. But are Michael Clarke’s men the real deal or is this an illusion?
Let’s get real here. The England team suffered such a sucker punch in the first Test, when Mitchell Johnson and David Warner blew them away, that they couldn’t get back off the canvas.
Throw in Jonathan Trott’s early return home and Graeme Swann’s surprising retirement after the third Test and they have found it nigh on impossible to stem the tide.
It wasn’t that long ago – think back to March – that Australia’s Test team was in a state of real flux.
Despatched by India 4-0 on the subcontinent, the fallout saw the appointment of a new coach and Shane Watson’s career at a crossroads.
Darren Lehmann’s head coaching reign didn’t start as planned either, with the English smashing his beleaguered team 3-0 in the winter Ashes series.
One of his x-factor players, David Warner, was pulled up for an off-field discretion, while promising young speedsters like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc succumbed to injuries throughout the year.
Even though the scoreline suggested otherwise, the Australians performed better as a unit in that first Ashes series, with Roarers writing that the revival was to come.
So when England arrived on Australia’s shores in November, there were more than just murmurs of optimism.
Former skippers Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh hinted of a vast improvement by the home side; that the Australians were about to deliver a surprise.
Ian Botham predicted a 5-0 whitewash to the English.
And a surprise certainly lay in wait. Enter Mitchell Johnson.
Still not considered a certain selection for the Australian Test team, Johnson had a big point to prove to the selectors and his teammates, but most importantly himself.
In my 20 years of cricket watching I have never seen a single bowler dominate over four Tests as Johnson has.
Most pleasingly for Australia, it has allowed Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle, previously the spearheads, to settle into a consistent line and length and be the benefactors, rather than the aggressors.
Nathan Lyon also reaped the reward of his colleagues’ dominance by picking up his first five-wicket bag on Australian soil in Melbourne.
Shane Watson, David Warner, Chris Rogers and Brad Haddin have all contributed at different times with the bat. In a team where until very recently Clarke has had to score heavily to keep Australia in the contests, the other batsmen have contributed.
Australia’s fans should look back on 2013 with satisfaction at the way they have finished the year. But the thrashing at the hands of both India and England left them in the realms of a “pass mark”.
Michael Clarke said a record of four Test wins out of 13 is not good enough for any Australian team. For his current troops, however, I’d say it is an improvement from the depths of where they have been this year.
The true test of where this Australian Test side is will be in 2014, when they must continue with the same level of ruthlessness on display at Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne over the past few weeks.
Cameron
Roar Guru
It's not irrelevant for it still affects the quality of cricket in the longer form.
mushi
Guest
My apologies "competitive in all bar one match" The lords focus kind of illustrates that we still benchmark against a team that would crush a world XI
ChrisB
Guest
Just turned 28 according to Cricinfo, so that's OK, now into his prime. My point was that as long as his average is on an upward incline, it doesn't matter at this point what his overall career average is. This myth that it should be 40 to be picked, while this would be ideal, is an artefact of the recent golden era. It's not really been the norm. Many players in previous eras have been picked on potential, and many have been short of this 40 mark when picked. If the average is shoeing no upward mark, a la Bailey, then it's an issue, but if its tending up, they're on the right path.
Tony Loedi
Roar Guru
Doolan isn't 26 - I think he's 29. and he averages less than 40 in shield? Unfortunatly we don't have any test options for number 3 spot
ChrisB
Guest
Tea hung peak age??? Sorry, late night spell correct for he's at the peak age..... Oh dear
ChrisB
Guest
But surely by following your thinking all countries will be affected equally so it's irrelevant Or do you think the T20 batting curse will only affect Australia?
ChrisB
Guest
Why? You seem him play? He's improved recently and is tea hung peak age Do you not think we may have good players pending in Silk, Maddison etc? It's not always like in 1995 or 2000 where there's top class players waiting to go. That was a rare situation not the norm
ChrisB
Guest
Given a batsmanship prime years are generally around 27 to 34, and Doolan is 26, do you not think he may get up to the fabled 40 average? He's certainly improved over the last season and a half, or do you, like many posters here, condemn players for all time based on their first season or two and deny they can improve? And have you actually seem him bat? (And T20 doesn't count) or are you just following recieved wisdom and stats?
Tony Loedi
Roar Guru
Ofcourse we will thump India at home and then we will get thumped in India. The conditions couldn't be more different, If India are serious about being the best test nation in the world they are going to have to prepare bouncier pitches otherwise they will continue to lost against England, South Africa and Australia away. In fact I think the kiwis will beat them at home also
Tony Loedi
Roar Guru
No I don't think the Aussie were in the same position last series, the 3-0 result clearly flattered England as Australia could very easily have won 2 matches.
Andrew Marmont
Roar Guru
I think this was a copy and paste job...
Andrew Marmont
Roar Guru
Wise words BB - enjoy while the sun is shining, one game and series at a time.
Andrew Marmont
Roar Guru
Thanks Cantab - well said - not sure if Australia will thump India, but it might be a little closer.. SA could be different though!
fadida
Guest
Good to see there are posters of low intelligence, who are blinkered and reactionary like yourself albo on the cricket thread too. You've thrown every (inaccurate) stereotype, barring "ethnic" at football there mate.
Cantab
Guest
Great series by Australia, though it is only one good series on the back of several poor series. That said I think Aust will thump India and at least push the saffa's.
vocans
Guest
One thing is for certain: England have played so poorly that it obscures the actual state of the Australian Test team. They will need to be a tough unit in SA, and Boof will do his best to ensure that.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
A false dawn? I reckon we're in the middle of the day. I'm certainly not going to worry about SA now, just enjoy what this very underrated team are doing now.How long are these dawns supposed to last anyway and when are they over?
dan ced
Guest
I guess his red ball form was for Gloucester. Hit'n'miss in shield so far.. but so is Doolan.
Showbags
Guest
Klinger is in form in white ball Cricket. Hasn't done much in the red ball form.
Showbags
Guest
Same can be said about Doolan. I'd rather debut a younger player than a bloke that has played 50 FC games with an average of less than 40.