Opinion
We are all still in the hangover of the epic Test match series between India and Australia.
It was something for the ages. The four Test matches were like a roller-coaster journey, full of ups and downs.
We have heard enough of the Indians’ heroics in Melbourne, Sydney, and of course the Gabba.
But from an Australian perspective, this series was a nightmare.
They were the team who longed for this series. They wanted to make a statement that what we witnessed last time India visited Australia was just a mere freak one-off.
And they made that statement when India collapsed in Adelaide.
The series was tailor-made for Australia and Virat Kohli’s departure after the first Test match was the icing on the cake.
The point here is they were playing with excess baggage, which resulted in their defeat in Melbourne.
Coming to Sydney, all the batsmen got a start but couldn’t capitalise, except Marnus Labuschagne, which resulted in a below-par score.
(Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
But keeping the cricket aside, there were other aspects.
Was Tim Paine in the right frame of mind? You’ve got to doubt it.
Australians don’t play like this. They come charging at you every time they play, but not this time. This resulted in their downfall.
So what’s next?
I don’t think Tim Paine will get any further chance to be the captain until the South Africa tour. The place where he was given the captaincy might be his last tour as a captain.
Australia must invest for seven to ten years in their captain. Marnus Labuschange and Travis Head are two potential candidates who could take the Australian legacy forward.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
The mammoth rise of Jake Fraser-McGurk - his enormous potential and the destructive shot-making that he possesses makes him a very tempting option.
Marcus Stoinis produced his first IPL century and it was a beauty. He went 6, 4, 4, 4 to finish off the Lucknow Super…
The Aussie needed every centimetre of his height and reach to reel that one in!
Royal Challengers Bengaluru needed 21 off the final over...but after three sixes, a caught and bowled and a run out, Mitchell Starc's Kolkata had…
Test great Steve Smith is to play for Washington Freedom in the second season of Major League Cricket as the Australian influence in the…
Nathan Lyon has revealed his disappointment that Australia's cricket chiefs have prevented him from playing his first full season of county cricket in England…
