Like most Australians, I grew up idolising Australian cricketers. For some old enough to remember, it was the fiery nostrils, sleazy chain and open-buttoned shirt of Dennis Lillee that did it for us.
Others were captivated by the sheer artistry of Greg Chappell and Rick Ponting or the bludgeoning power of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist. Many still hold the late and great Rod Marsh dear in their hearts, others the ‘Cowboy’ Dean Jones or David Boon, potentially the toughest cricketer to represent the nation.
For those of a little more advanced in years, flashes of the careers of Neil Harvey, Alan Davidson and Richie Benaud might still come to mind in sentimental cricketing moments.
Of course, there were scores of men before and after. Yet if the court of public opinion holds any weight at all, it seems that the Australian sporting public has well and truly fallen out of love with the men charged to represent us in what many still consider to be the national game.
Rather than dance on the rather sad situation that perhaps began over five years ago in South Africa, has been parlayed a few times since and now returned to focus after the most appalling of starts to the team’s tour of India for the Border-Gavaskar trophy, it might be time to simply reflect and wonder why.
With Australian teams representing across the globe with dignity, pride and success, the men’s cricket team is something of a contrast, with a foul stench emanating as soon as the win-loss column turns a little sour.
Sure, when teams like South Africa and West Indies are beaten to a pulp on home soil, the cracks are well and truly masked by the silicone of success, yet once the fight becomes real, the problematic sub-structure of team unity, curious selection and what often appears to be an ad-hoc plan, all come to the fore.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Our cricketing women have no such image problem, frankly, winning on almost every occasion makes it near impossible to find fault and the common goal appears to unite a talented and dominant group of Australian players.
However, not all Australian teams are winning at the same rate, yet many remain much loved and respected for facing constant challenges with a spirit that satisfies everyday Australians and makes them proud, win, lose or draw.
While the Wallabies look unlikely winners of the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France, their effort and application throughout 2022 under the weight of sometimes bizarre and consistent injuries was difficult to question.
There were heart breaking losses and some wonderful comeback wins, yet the team played bravely under duress and lost little respect.
As did the Wallaroos, a group of amateur and developing women who brought many to tears with both their play and the stories that articulated their journey’s so well.
The Kangaroos won their twelfth Rugby League World Cup in England during 2022, despite the increasing threat of emerging nations, and lost no fans in doing so. The nay-sayers were to be proven wrong again.
The Jillaroos marched to their third title against New Zealand in the women’s event, as dominant and entertaining as ever, the team continues to grow as a powerful and popular brand.
Despite plenty of people taking pot shots at the Socceroos along the qualification road, coach Graham Arnold moulded a World Cup team in Qatar that inspired a nation and made people dream of something very special, just before heart-break struck.
The Matildas, often cited as the most popular national team, will lift a nation to its feet in July when they play at home in the biggest sporting event on foreign shores since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Both teams are enjoying massive and unconditional support from Aussie fans, thanks to excellent branding and competent performances.
Australia’s male and female tennis players have played with determination and pride in various team events during the post-pandemic period, as have the Hockeyroos and Kookaburras, two teams that due to their semi-professional nature, always remind us of the true beauty of competition and the integrity of sport.
Yet sadly, our male cricketers are on the nose and increasingly so. I pity the person overseeing brand management at Cricket Australia in regards to the men’s team, in full knowledge that a disconnect clearly exists behind the decisions made behind closed doors and the perceptions and conclusions being constructed in the minds of fans.
How the situation is repaired is well be beyond my pay grade, but the suits at Cricket Australia had best be on the case and identifying the problem, before taking the urgent steps required to rebuild the team’s reputation.
Akitas
Roar Rookie
You win the prize for the most arrogant post so far.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I’ve heard them talk about getting abuse from the crowds, not from the team in 75-76. Do you have any specific references for that? But yes Viv said Pascoe abused him racially around ‘79.
Kalva
Roar Rookie
Recollections vary! Gavaskar tailors his words according to his audience..Viv and Greenidge have been quite open about the abuse including racial abuse they received in Aus in 1975-76 and how it toughened that team up. The difference is that post WSC, channel 9 coverage was so much better and you saw what was happening on your screen close up which never happened before. Lillee, Marsh and to a lesser extent, Lennie, Hoggy became poster boys to this sort of behavior.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I referred to sledging, the 70s and Ian Chappell’s team. Lillee kicking Miandad was 1981. No doubt there was a bit of sledging and aggro before 1980. As I said it really kicked off in the 80s. Sunil Gavaskar said a few years ago that he was never abused in a Test for 15 years (other than by Pakistanis!) until he played in Australia in 1985 and was abused by a player in his first Test. Merv Hughes almost certainly the culprit.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
According to free will choice it is.
Kalva
Roar Rookie
Fatigue, business interests, whatever the reason…the fact that is he avoided touring for the last 5 years of his career. If the best Aussie batter and captain today were to pull out of tours as often as he did AFTER WSC, would that be acceptable?
Kalva
Roar Rookie
Sorry but it was Lillee and Marsh who really started it. Let’s not forget that Lillee once kicked an opposition batter on the field of play. And his mates who had to sit in to judge him fined him $200 and blamed the other guy! Show me one instance where that has happened in the last 30 years? They were great players but they and others of that generation have created a tale that they always played hard but fair and their mates in the media especially the Packer empire helped to polish that bit of mythology.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
He's Capricorn, well adjusted ones speak straight. They are the leaders who are structured and committed and they cut thru dross.
Baggygreen2.1
Roar Rookie
a head era would have the potential to deliver #elitehonesty
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Please tell me you aren’t trying to argue that Maxwell was a better test batsman than Shaun Marsh…
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Very true, and I’m not necessarily comparing them to the Matilda’s or the Opals, but even so, that’s 6 of the last 7 World Cups, you can’t deny that’s an achievement of great note?
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Maybe it is best to make an opinion for all of us after the Ashes series which will highlight any playing, selecting highlights or mistakes? I know most of the supporters are hanging in there for now but if they fail in Ashes series there will be no excuses. The excuse for now is that India is such a difficult place to tour.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Not a fan Megeng? I was just making a point that young guys don't have a problem supporting F1 drivers but support an Australian Cricket player, no chance. Maybe Aussie cricketers are uncool to them, who knows.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
To the casual follower. I can’t help being an obsessive. I might also add that in GSC’s case it was fatigue that he didn’t want to go on tours. And I’m not a big fan of Greg.
Kalva
Roar Rookie
Yes but they repeatedly missed tours after 1979, not before. In Australia, people only cared how the Aussie team did at home and in England. Some attention was paid to touring the W.Indies but no one cared about their performances in India or Pakistan…and players missing such tours wasn’t such a big deal.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
A bit revisionist there about India. I think you are underselling both those guys. They had their next paycheck to worry about because the establishment never went professional until about 1979. Australia hadn't toured there for 10 years. Lillee was picked after the 69/70 tour and GSC not selected for that tour.
Megeng
Roar Rookie
I was nodding along until you mentioned Verstappen...
Kalva
Roar Rookie
Amazing! Australia loses a couple of Tests in India and suddenly, we are being told that they aren't worthy to be in the same breath as legends like Dennis Lillee and Greg Chappell among others. Yes, the same players who never played in India! Yes there was WSC at the time but there were a few tours of Pakistan and Lillee went on one and did poorly and avoided the next one. Greg C did better on his one tour and also avoided the next one. Reality is if these heroes would have probably avoided touring India if given half the chance only to wait until the home series when they could fill their boots. And yes, lets not forget how they pumped up their stats at home vs Pakistan knowing that they had no intention of playing the next series vs WI. Oh yes, they were so much better behaved, weren't they? To be fair, they haven't said anything like this about the current players..just some of their shortsighted fans.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Dougie, You do know that Warner has signed a contract to commentate with Fox don't you?
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Speaking of "getting factual things wrong..." Rowds. Interesting that the Tour to SA he captained was viewed as a breath of fresh air... I'm assuming that you're referring here to VY Richardson. Correct?