Is the Australian dominance coming to an end?
That's my question I have planned to answer in this post.
I believe that nothing good can last forever and believe the Aussies are now at the same stage the West Indies in the late eighties and the nineties. The Australians are not the invincible machines they once were and that is mainly due to the following reasons.
1) The Australians played with greats such as Mc.Grath, Langer, Warne, Martyn, Gillespie, Gilchrist, Fleming, Bevan, Steve and Mark Waugh. But now as these greats have retired the Australians have struggled to replace them. The machine like precision of Glen Mc.Grath on the off-stump in the corridor of uncertainity is irreplaceable so is Warne's mastery of leg-spin. Jason Gillespie, Damien Fleming and Glen Mc.Grath always proved more than a hand-full and even the world's greatest batsmen have struggled against them. Though Brett Lee has taken to the task of spearheading the attack well, it remains to be seen his success in the sub-continent. The Australians are struggling in the spin department. There's no one to fill the big shoes left void by Warne. Even the batting is not the great it once it was. Though Ponting has led the Aussies to two world cups and is a natural leader like Steve Waugh, and Micheal Hussey has succeed Bevan, the Aussies still struggle. Langer's place as opener is still open though many have been tried as openers. The weakness of the batsmen from the down-under against quality spin bowling is clearly visible as none use their feet as Martyn did. The role of a keeper-batsmen is also largely at want. Haddin is good behind the stumps like the keepers befor him as Adam Gilchrist and Ian Healy, but his time in front of the the stumps has not been able to lift any spirits. There are still many more places to fill and it is seen crystal clear that the Australian bench strength is not really strong or even close to it.
2) The second reason is because the gap between the 'Invincibles' and the rest of the world is shortening. India, Sri-Lanka, England, and the South Africans have well balanced teams which are more than able to compete at the top level constantly. I feel only Pakistan have deteriorated. Even New Zealand and Bangladesh are doing better and becoming more competitive.
3) The third reason I feel is the incapability of the Australians to adapt to different pitches and conditions. They have done well at home but have been beaten by India at WACA Perth, the very place they consider their fortress. The Australian batsmen have been guilty of not being able to adopt to the conditions abroad. They found it hard in the Caribbeans and also now in India. The slow pitches of the sub-continent, the swinging conditions of England and also the seam and bounce of the South African pitches have been places of struggle. The batsmen have also been guilty of not being able to adopt to the situation. The present team is lacking in experience and when a situation arises hell breaks loose. They also have been not able to implant the plans discussed in the dressing rooms successfully.
4) The forth reason of decline is because of the enormous pressure on the team. The batsmen and the bowlers are expected to give their 100 per cent and are scrutinized whether they are. The team is also expected to win almost every time they set onto the field. The decline in the bowling quality has increased demands on the batsmen. The team now requires the batsmen to score those extra 50-120 odd runs since the bowling depth is in adequate. This causes the batsmen to come under a lot of pressure. The Australian also have not been able to maintain their high run-rate they once used to. The hectic international schedule also takes its tole on the players.
5) The final reason I believe is the quote that 'No good thing lasts forever'. Even the mighty empire Rome fell and it's not far when the Australians too do fall. This is exactly what happened to the invincible West Indies of the 70's and the 80's. I like to conclude my reasoning quoting Steve Waugh,
The thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history.
That's my question I have planned to answer in this post.
I believe that nothing good can last forever and believe the Aussies are now at the same stage the West Indies in the late eighties and the nineties. The Australians are not the invincible machines they once were and that is mainly due to the following reasons.
1) The Australians played with greats such as Mc.Grath, Langer, Warne, Martyn, Gillespie, Gilchrist, Fleming, Bevan, Steve and Mark Waugh. But now as these greats have retired the Australians have struggled to replace them. The machine like precision of Glen Mc.Grath on the off-stump in the corridor of uncertainity is irreplaceable so is Warne's mastery of leg-spin. Jason Gillespie, Damien Fleming and Glen Mc.Grath always proved more than a hand-full and even the world's greatest batsmen have struggled against them. Though Brett Lee has taken to the task of spearheading the attack well, it remains to be seen his success in the sub-continent. The Australians are struggling in the spin department. There's no one to fill the big shoes left void by Warne. Even the batting is not the great it once it was. Though Ponting has led the Aussies to two world cups and is a natural leader like Steve Waugh, and Micheal Hussey has succeed Bevan, the Aussies still struggle. Langer's place as opener is still open though many have been tried as openers. The weakness of the batsmen from the down-under against quality spin bowling is clearly visible as none use their feet as Martyn did. The role of a keeper-batsmen is also largely at want. Haddin is good behind the stumps like the keepers befor him as Adam Gilchrist and Ian Healy, but his time in front of the the stumps has not been able to lift any spirits. There are still many more places to fill and it is seen crystal clear that the Australian bench strength is not really strong or even close to it.
2) The second reason is because the gap between the 'Invincibles' and the rest of the world is shortening. India, Sri-Lanka, England, and the South Africans have well balanced teams which are more than able to compete at the top level constantly. I feel only Pakistan have deteriorated. Even New Zealand and Bangladesh are doing better and becoming more competitive.
3) The third reason I feel is the incapability of the Australians to adapt to different pitches and conditions. They have done well at home but have been beaten by India at WACA Perth, the very place they consider their fortress. The Australian batsmen have been guilty of not being able to adopt to the conditions abroad. They found it hard in the Caribbeans and also now in India. The slow pitches of the sub-continent, the swinging conditions of England and also the seam and bounce of the South African pitches have been places of struggle. The batsmen have also been guilty of not being able to adopt to the situation. The present team is lacking in experience and when a situation arises hell breaks loose. They also have been not able to implant the plans discussed in the dressing rooms successfully.
4) The forth reason of decline is because of the enormous pressure on the team. The batsmen and the bowlers are expected to give their 100 per cent and are scrutinized whether they are. The team is also expected to win almost every time they set onto the field. The decline in the bowling quality has increased demands on the batsmen. The team now requires the batsmen to score those extra 50-120 odd runs since the bowling depth is in adequate. This causes the batsmen to come under a lot of pressure. The Australian also have not been able to maintain their high run-rate they once used to. The hectic international schedule also takes its tole on the players.
5) The final reason I believe is the quote that 'No good thing lasts forever'. Even the mighty empire Rome fell and it's not far when the Australians too do fall. This is exactly what happened to the invincible West Indies of the 70's and the 80's. I like to conclude my reasoning quoting Steve Waugh,
The thing we learn from history is that we do not learn from history.
21 Comments:
Comprehensive anaysis that Chris.
The metronomic rhythm Glenda had was not static. He had the ability to sense the batsman's process jsut as he was running in. Subtle variations in that rhythm made a huge difference as did the repetitiveness.
This is a realtively new team brought by the Australians - next time they play here, they'll be more secure in the conditions.
Most of all, India has been the most determined of all teams when it comes to competing with Australia. Almost singleminded about it and I daresay Laxman has had a significant role to play in that!
Poshin,
Nice analysis. Guess you are right about the decline in the Aussie team. They have lost their great players and the consequence is visible now. The point of worry is that soon India will be in a similar position.
Good work. One agrees that the Australian team is in transition.
However, more than the lack of spin or even fast bowling, Hayden's lack of form has put them on the back-foot.
Once Hayden regains his form then this Australian team will be a different beast altogether.
Oh my God Poshin! Great analysis! The Aussies should visit your blog and learn where they are going wrong (not that I want them to ;P)
Good job boy! Yes, what goes up has to come down one day. Lets keep our fingers crossed for the third test!! :)
posh, you may be right. but here are a few counters. except for the last series here, where billy bowden, the rain in chennai, and the grass in nagpur conspired to hand them the series, the aussies have never won here. so what's new about the current performance? they do lack a quality spinner, but what good did it do them to have shane warne in 2001 and 1998?
nice work....the main concern for Australia is the form of Hayden, Ponting. If they find their rhythm, the team looks strong. They also lack a quality spinner.
shaun marsh is back.. and their opening departments is different now.. and hussey is a mean maniac.. they cant be written off
hey tats very true ..its reely like the gr8 west indian dominance ended ..the aussie dominance is also ending...I agree..
i remember the 2003 world cup finals..how they just were over dominating India...I remember praying for rains..lol
no I guess the same aussies will take some tym to come bakk...
:)
@All
Sorry for not replying at the earliest....
I had school and many other studies this week.
But i'm really glad that all you guys came and read and shared your thoughts.
@Soulberry
Thanx.
Yup, Glen was an amazing bowler and the Aussies now truly know his worth now.
And though the Ausstralian team is new they show the same spirit and the desire to win.....so we can't count them outjust yet........But in the long run.....I feel they are already out.
Yup the man from Hyderbad was the highest scorer in 2001 against the aussies and probably the fight began because of him.
@Trideep
i think india too will go through the same rough waters as the Aussies with the fab four and Kumble near the end of their trial.
Btw, in this week's edition of sportstar, in the cover story by Peter Roebuck, he too analyeses the Ausstralian decline.
It's a must read.......
@Ottayan
I believe that the the era of domination has come to an end and good too.
And i feel and sure you too, that one player does not make a team.........and therfore hayden's past torments won't affect india............
They are a different beast now..............A crippled beast.....
@Tara
Thanx....I glad you think its good........
And I'm sure punter won't listen to an indian after the Bhaji debacle. maybe john Buchanan should ........Warnie and he can disscus it from the sidelines...........:)
Yup, Great newton figured out gravity aien't it?
Good job Issac.....
Dont worry my fingers are crossed......
@Sumit
First, i really like you calling me posh.(I don't by any cahance happen to like Victoria Beckham or the Spice Girls though). I really like it and probably considering changing my name..:)
The thing new now is that in the past it took only towering performances to knock over the Aussies and that too just......but in Mohali India dominated in every department and dominated the domination......
i guess that only one thing that wont change is that the Final Frontier for The Kangaroos will always be the unconquered.
@Vundavalli Srinivasarao
Surely hayden and punter ownt be submerged for long. just see their contributation at Delhi in the first Innings. The team still is strong but not invincible as before.
@Chriz
Yes prason annan nothing can be written off when it comes to the Aussies.
@priya joyce
It's gr8 to see you in my blog. i've seen you in Chronicwriter (My cousin prason) and have noticed your unique thoughts. so thanks.
Yup the Aussies dominance is coming to an end. And as for the 2003 WC, i wasn't in india at that time and barley knew bout the sport. But I saw the match years later.....Sad though it didn't rain and Sachin fell to mc.Geath early.
I'm sure they will be back but not like before..
Hi dude. nice blog here.
Can we exchange links?
@Hari
Thanx.
And wat do u mean by exchanging links?
@All
btw On NOVEMBER 9th I'm publishing a special post. DON'T MISS IT FOR THE WORLD. !!!!!!!!
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