Australian Cricket - Who is to Blame? | Thebigtip

As I sit here watching the Australian cricket team capitulate right in front of me, like many Australians I am at a loss to understand how we have dropped so far from our perch at the top of the sport. Several pundits and fans have quickly pointed out that losing Warne and McGrath is the reason for our downfall. Together with the losses of Hayden, Langer, Gilchrist and Martyn, we have lost a lot of talent. During our glory years it was well reported that our local first class competition was the greatest in the world and many shared the opinion that an Australian A side would beat most other international sides.

Would our current Australian side beat an Australian A side of 5 years ago? I dare say Phillip Hughes, Steve Smith, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle would not have even made it into the best 22 players in the country. As good as Watson has been as an opener, he is no Hayden or Langer. Katich has done well since being put back into the Test side with only injury dampening his impact this Ashes series. Ponting is only a shadow of the player he once was, while Clarke's position in the side is far from safe. Hussey is one who was forced to toil away locally for years and has been a shining light since entering the Test side. A lean period before this series meant he was lucky to be in the side. He is a fighter though. The strength of Australian cricket over the last decade has forced him to be a fighter. Brad Haddin is no Adam Gilchrist but he is worthy of keeping for any Test country.

Our bowlers do not come close to comparing to those of five years ago. Our number one bowler, Johnson, can't swing a ball unless there is a howling wind and he can't hit the same spot on the pitch twice in a row. Siddle has shown he is capable of taking a bag of wickets but seems to be bowled only once Johnson, Hilfenhaus, Bollinger or Harris needs a break. Throughout the Ashes, he has been more dangerous than Hilfenhaus but Hilfenhaus is constantly given the new ball. He is meant to be our number one swing bowler but as Kerry O'Keefe said, he's 'seen more curves on an anorexic model.' His one strength is his swing and now he's not swinging it, why is he in the side? It's hard to judge Bollinger and Harris, but they've both had their ups and downs.

Are the players to blame for these performances though or are the selectors to blame? Sure, we lost a great deal of experience quickly but did it need to be that way? With so much talent sitting in our backyard, why weren't more players (who were definitely deserving) given an opportunity on the big stage? Those fighters who knew how hard they had to work to make it to the Test team had the experience, worked hard and valued their wicket. Now we are rewarding 21 year olds with a baggy green after just one or two impressive years at first class. I definitely am a fan of both Hughes and Smith and have no doubt that they can both have long careers for Australia, but not yet. They both have giant technical flaws which they need to work on. Yes, they are struggling at the highest level, but surely its not their fault. They shouldn't be in the side. How must David Warner feel about all this? He plays similarly to both, has an amazing eye, yet he can't even crack the NSW sheffield shield side. Maybe a few more back slappers telling everybody how good he is and he'll have a Test cap within the next 12 months. The selection of our spinners has been much talked about as well while we struggle to replace Warne. Hauritz was criticized throughout his tenure but was always backed by the selectors. Funnily enough, when he finally finds some form and becomes an impressive bowler, he is dumped. Largely unfair, considering he was replaced by a bloke averaging over 45 in first class cricket, and now by a bloke who has played five first class match. The selectors have picked a side which is full of potential and flair but lacks the skill, polish and class that is required at the test level.The selection of our side has also confused me greatly. While our batsmen have failed, only one has been dropped due to poor form, while we have tried three spinners and five fast bowlers. Ponting and Clarke are surely on thin ice now too.

The most disappointing thing about our current Test side is the obvious flaws that are on show every session. Our batsmen and bowlers both appear to be as guilty as each other. While we are batting, we are vulnerable against the ball swinging through the air. England, India and even Pakistan have worried us with the swinging ball. Yet we trouble no-one. Perth aside, on the rare occasion we have managed to swing the ball this series, it has been down leg side or the English batsmen have been able to let the ball go outside off. I don't think I'm going too far by suggesting our batsmen would also notch up 500+ runs against our bowling attack. Well, actually, if our batsmen include Clarke, Ponting, Hughes and Smith then we are no chance.

Thanks to the selectors ignoring Hodge, he is now gone. Brett Lee would have been a great experienced bowler this series but he is now retired from first class. Stuart Clark was a Glenn McGrath clone yet he is still being ignored despite dominating at state level. These are just three players alone that would have given the Englishmen 1000 more nightmares than our current line up.