The Australian cricket team is in a transition period, with a new coach, captain and players in all formats apparently taking a toll on performance. Because they stink right now.
Since the ball-tampering incident, the team haven’t won a game – only managing a draw, against Pakistan, in the recent Test series.
It’s hard to know from the outside what’s going on with the team. The board is changing, which makes it hard for the coaches to know how to approach this period of transition.
The one day series against South Africa is meant to showcase the new way Australia want to play, but if the first game is any indication, they’re in trouble.
The selections were wrong, not playing a spinner was wrong, and players like D’Arcy Short and Chris Lynn – who are boundary hitters – need to get some ones and twos, but that didn’t happen.
The team need to look at how England got to No.1 in the world at ODIs, and if we’re serious about beating India in the Tests, we to pick a team to match.
Some should be focussing on red-ball cricket – i.e. playing Sheffield Shield – while those who perform in the JLT competition should be in line for the upcoming World Cup. It necessitates almost completely different teams from Tests to ODIs.
It’s the first time since I’ve been alive that so much change has happened at once for Australian cricket, which makes it exciting to watch.
Rellum
Roar Guru
"while those who perform in the JLT competition should be in line for the upcoming World Cup" Lynn and Short did perform in the JLT cup, and for once it vaguely lead up to a one day series.
JamesH
Roar Guru
We won three T20Is in Zimbabwe. Not a lot to hang your hat on, admittedly, but wins are wins.
keith hurst
Roar Pro
As a long time cricket tragic I am depressed not excited
Kopa Shamsu
Guest
Treat cricket as a game, not a entertainment business. Start from your board and selection panel. Those require a complete overhaul. Bring in people who genuinely loves the game. Shield must be returned to it's former self. Too much medicorer wondering around there. It must be revived and the pitches must regain their versatility. Perth pitch was excellent. Let players learn on those pitches in home and prove themselves in domestic circuit instead of sending them 15 days ahead of a foreign tour to adjust their game to condition.
Simon
Guest
Cam
Simon
Guest
EXACTLY. Can has been dominating the domestic on day scene, what you do with a guy like that is you throw him into the team, tell him he's in for at least 5 matches no matter what, and let him adapt and thrive. Same with Maxwell's horrible treatment in test matches. They've got no understanding of confidence and consistency
pakistanstar
Roar Rookie
For years the selectors have been picking sides based on form & performances from other formats of the game and now they're stuck with muddled thinking that t20 & one day cricket are the same. The fact that someone like Cam White, who has dominated the JLT competition for half a decade, has only played 4 ODI matches in the last 3 years says it all.