Australia's recent schizophrenic approach hurting them
For Australian cricket supporters, there may be no waking from this Ashes nightmare. After an encouraging and gritty effort to start this highly anticipated series in Trent Bridge, Australia's worst fears materialised during an embarrassing and lopsided Second Test at the home of cricket.
Many woke up on Monday with a dreaded realisation. England has a realistic chance to whitewash. This was not supposed to be the case. Abysmally as Australia has been on-and-off the field in recent months, many believed the Ashes would be a competitive tussle.
Australia always rise to the Ashes challenge, while England were not worthy of the hype, I assured myself on series eve.
My prognostication appeared astute. After an epic opener, the series was delicately poised. Under the fresh leadership of Darren Lehmann, Australia seemed rejuvenated, while England looked rusty - particularly key players Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann.
Two Tests down, Cricket Australia's official Twitter account may as well delete its #ReturnTheUrn - Australia won't replicate Sir Don Bradman's 1936-37 team in overcoming a 2-0 deficit.
England is better in all facets - they have a plethora of batsmen actually capable of occupying the crease for a lengthy period, are blessed with the best paceman and spinner, and are superior in the field. They have a nice blend of experience and youth. England aren't a dominating, flamboyant team. Instead, they espouse the traits of their skipper Alastair Cook by methodically grinding the opposition with unyielding patience and discipline.
Australia is a spectacular mess. They have fiddled with their team over the past few years with no conviction or clear plan. The lower order regularly outperforms the top, and the bowling attack, while precocious, is still too raw and undisciplined to maintain pressure against a stout and experienced opponent.
So, no longer am I lustily dreaming of Ashes glory. It's not happening, certainly not in England. I am more intent on salvaging something from an inevitably doomed campaign.
Simply, I hope Australia can finally assemble a batting line-up befitting a Test team. It is bewildering Australia has not produced a world class batsman in a decade. Where's Australia's Joe Root? Australia always has had a young prodigious batsman its ranks, plundering First Class runs at will. Right now, there is no young gun set to receive Clarke's best bat baton. Calls for the recall of 38-year-old Simon Katich exposes the dearth of Australia's batting and the lack of faith in their younger talent.
They would do better to instil 30-year-old George Bailey and Adam Voges (age 33) into the team, mainly due to their terrific temperament than for proficiency at making runs. At least they would add much needed steel and fight for their wickets. But their mediocre averages at the First Class level (Bailey 38 and Voges 40) suggest they lack the class to succeed against elite bowling.
In other words, there's no saviour for Australia. Right now, they must mould a team with the players at their disposal.
Australia has had a schizophrenic approach to their makeup in recent years. The team has never been settled. Thus, it shouldn't surprise at their inability to form partnerships - with bat or ball. It takes years to form relationships and develop trust, whilst understanding the intricacies of teammates.
Phil Hughes has batted everywhere in the top five the past couple of years. He is no Mike Hussey. Hughes needs a settled home. Number three looks his best option. Shane Watson has been Australia's prodigal bat for the past three years. Clearly, he's not a specialist batsman but does he still represent value as an all-rounder at six?
Usman Khawaja showed trademark grit at three during the second innings with a determined half-century. But he lacks the ability to counterattack, an integral trait for a successful batsman at first drop. Perhaps, batting at five is more compatible. Clarke has had the majority of his stellar success at five. It's the position he feels most comfortable and secure. He's no different to Steve Waugh. But, as clearly the best bat amid a struggling side, surely Clarke has to bat in the top four, right?
Chris Rogers has been a feel good story, but unfortunately, he's a Band-Aid solution. Ditto for Brad Haddin. It's a team lacking an identity and any semblance of continuity.
For the next three Tests, Australia needs to form a personality and discover a combination that meshes. Not just in a bid to salvage the series, but more importantly to forge a persona for the future. David Warner should be serving a lengthy penance in international purgatory but perhaps he has suffered enough shame and humiliation to sting him back to his dynamic best.
Is a Warner-Jordan Silk opening combination a possibility? Is it kamikaze? Maybe. But it sounds more enticing than staying stuck in the Watson-Rogers quicksand. Silk has only played three First Class matches but notably scored a century amid pressure to help Tasmania win the Sheffield Shield. Why not throw him to Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad? Australia are in a hopeless position anyway.
Australia can't worry about inglorious results, particularly adding to their current six-Test losing streak. The Ashes is a lost battle but Australia shouldn't be myopic. They have to get on the front foot. If they can mould a team, redemption could be literally around the corner.
After all, another bid to #ReturnTheUrn begins in November.
For Australian cricket supporters, there may be no waking from this Ashes nightmare. After an encouraging and gritty effort to start this highly anticipated series in Trent Bridge, Australia's worst fears materialised during an embarrassing and lopsided Second Test at the home of cricket.
Many woke up on Monday with a dreaded realisation. England has a realistic chance to whitewash. This was not supposed to be the case. Abysmally as Australia has been on-and-off the field in recent months, many believed the Ashes would be a competitive tussle.
Australia always rise to the Ashes challenge, while England were not worthy of the hype, I assured myself on series eve.
My prognostication appeared astute. After an epic opener, the series was delicately poised. Under the fresh leadership of Darren Lehmann, Australia seemed rejuvenated, while England looked rusty - particularly key players Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann.
Two Tests down, Cricket Australia's official Twitter account may as well delete its #ReturnTheUrn - Australia won't replicate Sir Don Bradman's 1936-37 team in overcoming a 2-0 deficit.
England is better in all facets - they have a plethora of batsmen actually capable of occupying the crease for a lengthy period, are blessed with the best paceman and spinner, and are superior in the field. They have a nice blend of experience and youth. England aren't a dominating, flamboyant team. Instead, they espouse the traits of their skipper Alastair Cook by methodically grinding the opposition with unyielding patience and discipline.
Australia is a spectacular mess. They have fiddled with their team over the past few years with no conviction or clear plan. The lower order regularly outperforms the top, and the bowling attack, while precocious, is still too raw and undisciplined to maintain pressure against a stout and experienced opponent.
So, no longer am I lustily dreaming of Ashes glory. It's not happening, certainly not in England. I am more intent on salvaging something from an inevitably doomed campaign.
Simply, I hope Australia can finally assemble a batting line-up befitting a Test team. It is bewildering Australia has not produced a world class batsman in a decade. Where's Australia's Joe Root? Australia always has had a young prodigious batsman its ranks, plundering First Class runs at will. Right now, there is no young gun set to receive Clarke's best bat baton. Calls for the recall of 38-year-old Simon Katich exposes the dearth of Australia's batting and the lack of faith in their younger talent.
They would do better to instil 30-year-old George Bailey and Adam Voges (age 33) into the team, mainly due to their terrific temperament than for proficiency at making runs. At least they would add much needed steel and fight for their wickets. But their mediocre averages at the First Class level (Bailey 38 and Voges 40) suggest they lack the class to succeed against elite bowling.
In other words, there's no saviour for Australia. Right now, they must mould a team with the players at their disposal.
Australia has had a schizophrenic approach to their makeup in recent years. The team has never been settled. Thus, it shouldn't surprise at their inability to form partnerships - with bat or ball. It takes years to form relationships and develop trust, whilst understanding the intricacies of teammates.
Phil Hughes has batted everywhere in the top five the past couple of years. He is no Mike Hussey. Hughes needs a settled home. Number three looks his best option. Shane Watson has been Australia's prodigal bat for the past three years. Clearly, he's not a specialist batsman but does he still represent value as an all-rounder at six?
Usman Khawaja showed trademark grit at three during the second innings with a determined half-century. But he lacks the ability to counterattack, an integral trait for a successful batsman at first drop. Perhaps, batting at five is more compatible. Clarke has had the majority of his stellar success at five. It's the position he feels most comfortable and secure. He's no different to Steve Waugh. But, as clearly the best bat amid a struggling side, surely Clarke has to bat in the top four, right?
Chris Rogers has been a feel good story, but unfortunately, he's a Band-Aid solution. Ditto for Brad Haddin. It's a team lacking an identity and any semblance of continuity.
For the next three Tests, Australia needs to form a personality and discover a combination that meshes. Not just in a bid to salvage the series, but more importantly to forge a persona for the future. David Warner should be serving a lengthy penance in international purgatory but perhaps he has suffered enough shame and humiliation to sting him back to his dynamic best.
Is a Warner-Jordan Silk opening combination a possibility? Is it kamikaze? Maybe. But it sounds more enticing than staying stuck in the Watson-Rogers quicksand. Silk has only played three First Class matches but notably scored a century amid pressure to help Tasmania win the Sheffield Shield. Why not throw him to Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad? Australia are in a hopeless position anyway.
Australia can't worry about inglorious results, particularly adding to their current six-Test losing streak. The Ashes is a lost battle but Australia shouldn't be myopic. They have to get on the front foot. If they can mould a team, redemption could be literally around the corner.
After all, another bid to #ReturnTheUrn begins in November.
0 comments:
Post a Comment