Australia has been the world’s best cricket playing nation for over a decade. In all forms of the game we have been dominant. Now, a lot has been made of the ‘downfall’ of Australian cricket. Yet this was always going to happen sooner or later.
Success needs stability with a solid core of players. Having this will give the best chance for success. Unfortunately, it means that there are few changes made to the team lineup. The fewer the changes the less opportunities for younger players to gain experience. This leads to a lack of depth when the solid core decides to give the game away.
Success needs stability with a solid core of players. Having this will give the best chance for success. Unfortunately, it means that there are few changes made to the team lineup. The fewer the changes the less opportunities for younger players to gain experience. This leads to a lack of depth when the solid core decides to give the game away.
So what happened to Australian Cricket?
Retirements Post Ashes 2007
- #1 Fast bowler – Glen McGrath
- #1 spin bowler – Shane Warne
- Long time opening batsman – Justin Langer
- Middle order batsman – Damien Martyn
More recent retirements
- Revolutionary wicket keeper/batsman – Adam Gilchrist
- Other opening batsmen – Matthew Hayden
There are six of Australia’s finest retiring in the space of 2 years. No wonder our team is struggling at the moment, that’s over half the core players that have helped us be so successful over the past decade. Now we have too many young and/or inexperienced players trying to make it all at the same time.
It was good while it lasted. But supporters should not be downcast. Instead be happy that we experienced Australian cricket at it’s best. Now we get to see the next generation develop before our very eyes.
Although perhaps now Cricket Australia won’t rest on their laurels next time we have an extended period of success. Even a great team needs some rejuvenation.
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2 comments:
Tim,
I agree, we have lost many top class players lately, and this can explain Australia's poor performance.
But how has Cricket Australia rested on their laurels? Are you suggesting the selectors should have dropped some of our great players earlier in order to give younger players some experience?
I believe that Cricket Australia should have blooded more youth in the Twenty20 and One Day Squads instead of virtually keeping the same team for all forms of the game.
I would go as far as saying that Ricky Ponting should not even play Twenty20 instead have perhaps Michael Clarke lead a squad of relative newcomers.
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