Justin Langer is backing Australia to regain their No.1 Test mantle in the not-too-distant future, but says it’s crucial for the team’s star-studded bowling attack to stay healthy.
Australia rose to third in the Test rankings following their 5-0 whitewash of England.
Rejuvenated left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson won the man-of-the-series award for his 37 wickets, while Ryan Harris (22 wickets), Peter Siddle (16) and spinner Nathan Lyon (19) were also crucial in the demolition.
The biggest question mark surrounds the fitness of Harris, who is nursing a degenerative knee injury.
Australia’s quest for the No.1 ranking will be given a stern challenge when they travel to South Africa for a three-Test series next month.
Even if Australia win the series 3-0, it won’t be enough to overhaul South Africa.
Langer said the confidence Australia gained from their series win England would hold them in good stead for more success in the future.
“You can see there’s steel in Michael Clarke’s eyes,” Langer said.
“He’s been saying for the past 18 months he wants to become the No.1 team in the world again.
“They’d take great confidence from their win over England.”
Langer said the current focus within the team was clear.
“If they can beat a very good England team 5-0, then of course they can become number one.
“If they can keep Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson on the park, and combine that with Nathan Lyon’s progress, (then they’re a chance).
“But you don’t become the No.1 team in the world by winning one great series.”
Langer, who averaged 45.27 during his 105-Test career, retired after Australia’s 5-0 series win over England back in 2006/07.
The 43-year-old, who coaches Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers, said he took great joy from watching Australia pants England.
“It was magnificent,” Langer said.
“When it happened in 2007, I’m sure a lot of people would have wondered if it would ever happen again.
“The beautiful thing for me is they stuck with the same team. They stuck with the same guys and got success.
“Never underestimate that camaraderie within the group.”
Neil
Guest
Siddle and Clarke said it. It is fully representative of the teams opinion. Not the nations perhaps, but most certainly the teams. If they truly believe they have earned that title, then all I can say is that humility and hubris have no place in that dressing room, and they seem very capable of lying themselves into believing they are.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Siddle said it and maybe he has something to prove? If we beat SA then we will see. Even if we don't might be our batting lets us down not our bowlers. Australia is not arrogant most people understand we have weaknesses that need to be fixed before SA tour. The nation shouldn't be held accountable for Sid's comment. Australia understand first innings runs need to improve hence Lehmann's comment in interview after SCG win.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Only because India have the players to backup the pitches they prepare should that be looked down upon? In the days of Shane Warne if he played a few more in India they may have had second thoughts about preparing the pitches. But no, it is possible to beat India in India. Did England not beat them? It has been done. it can be done.
Neil
Guest
I think its mainly the 'we have the best attack in the world' comment that people are laughing at. A good Indian friend literally burst into tears with laughter when he heard that. It's interesting to say, and worth a debate, but that is a title you have to earn over several series. The South Africans have done that, the Aussies quite simply put just haven't.
Jo M
Guest
How is that arrogance though? Michael Clarke said he wanted to get them back to the No 1 position. I don't see how that is arrogance.
Pie in the sky
Guest
who cares if the indians prepare dustbowls? The other teams need to get better at playing in those conditions. The variety of pitch/atmospheric conditions around the world is one of the great things about test cricket. Aussies love to disparage indians (and most other teams) for not being able to play on fast bouncy wickets, do you think the Indians don't think the same way about tourists who can't play on raging turners? Also, what happened to the SCG? it used to turn a mile... good practice for playing in india. now its very seam friendly with variable bounce. please bring back the old scg.
trev
Guest
Emotional change towards Australian cricket over the last 12 months from a neutral (a KIwi): surprise when seeing how poor they are and the bits and pieces cricketers being picked (tour to India) pity during Ashes 1 (stuffed by DRS and an average Engl side) respect during 1st part of Ashes 2 (gutsy batting, intimidating bowling) frustration at end of Ashes (why are they so arrogant? - best bowling attack in world, expecting to be world no 1). It is great that Australia is regularly taking 20 wickets, but you still need to be scoring 450 in the 1st innings (without relying on a 36 year-old wicketkeeper) to push for world no1 status.
Nick
Roar Guru
That is ever so slightly erroneous. India drew the first test in South Africa, and were surprisingly competitive even in the game they lost. They aren't as horrible as they once were. Look at Australia, they played 9 o/s test matches in 2013 and lost 7 of them and drew 2 (weather affected draws it has to be said). There previous overseas tour before that was against the powerhouse that is the west indies. Australia haven't won a test in India since 2004, and only 2 tests out of 15 in England since 2005. In all of test cricket in 2013, there were only two away wins, and both against minnows. I think the ratings system, though flawed, is fair enough.
spek
Guest
England made Australia look a lot bettter than they are imho. SA are a v. different story.
Nudge
Guest
I love Aussie spirit, that's the reason we won 5-0. Hard to beat a passionate Aussie disco. No white flag for the country down under.
Matt F
Roar Guru
It's been pretty green for a few years now. Even the BBL pitches have had some grass on them
Brendon
Guest
Are you honestly comparing Australia pitches to the dust bowls prepared in India? The SCG has been green for years or are you one of those people who think its still a spinners pitch?
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Look at India...they are ranked number 2 in Tests yet over their last three overseas tours they have lost 9 matches on the trot without a single win.
Nick
Roar Guru
And Australia have never prepared pitches to suit their bowlers? The SCG one, for example, was remarkably green for a city that received below average rainfall this summer. Apparently, beggars can be choosers.
Disco
Roar Guru
"I love Haydos, Punter and Test cricket".
Mits
Guest
Beating India in India has been the Achilles Hill of Australian cricket for the past 40 years. Although those teams 1994 - 2004 were brilliant we couldn't clinch that series. In 04 upon Australia's victory in India, we cemented our position as one of the all time greatest cricketing sides. Similar to when we defeated the Windies in the Caribbean in 1995 - it confirmed our ranking as Number 1 team. Maybe I'm overestimating the importance of defeating India but from my standpoint the Number 1 team should be able to beat any team both home and away and recently we were obliterated in the 4 test series and thus if we were to become Number 1, that ranking wouldn't be a true reflection until we play and either win or are extremely competitive against India
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Haha, well before he asks, I'm a product of the public, not private, school system.
Pom in Oz
Roar Guru
Careful, Sideline. You'll incur the wrath of Johnno...
Sideline Comm.
Guest
The ICC needs to step in when it comes to test series in India. The pitches must be better prepared.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
You repeated Justin Langer's name 12 time in that rant. 12! I mean, there's repetition for effect, but that's just ridiculous. Repeating something twelve times in one short paragraph doesn't so much break the flow as smash it. So difficult to read.