Tired of Excuses? | Thebigtip

It has now been 4 long years since we waved goodbye, with a tear in our eye to some greats of our game. Warne, McGrath, Langer, Gilchrist. Between now and then we have also seen the departure of Hayden, Gillespie, Lee, Katich, S.Clark, and Symonds. All long term servants that gave their all to the Baggy Green.
 
4 years on and what has changed. You could argue that 4 years on from such depletion of talent and stock is more than enough time for Australian cricket officials to sift through the enourmous depth of talent in this country, identify the long term prospects, rotate them in and out of the massive schedule and come to a conclusion that the 30 odd players with a tick against thier name will bring Australia back to its fearsome best. Seems more than enough time to me.
 
Unfortunately, it seems that a combination of a bumbling administration, numerous selection panel shake ups, strained relationships between players and officials and an overwhelming desire to stick with ageing players that are desperately out of form has seen the last 4 years of Australian cricket sent into demise rather than forward momentum. Throw into the mix the naming of Michael Clarke as the incumbent captain almost 2 years before getting the job sends the signal to the rest of Australias cricketers that the Captaincy is not something that each and every player is capable of aquiring.
 
The mantra has become a broken record that is beginning to hurt the ears. "We need team balance. A good blend of youth and experience". Well how many more Hussey slumps do we have to endure? How many more times do we have to see Ponting uncomfortable at the crease as he shuffles around and eventually gifts his wicket? How many more times do we have to see Brad Haddin try and slog his way out of a collapse when circumspect thought is all that is required? And how many more times do we have to see Clarke nicking fishing outside off stump when it's the captains (and middle order batsmens) job to keep a cool head and contain the situation?
 
The argument is sound. A blend of experience and youth for the purpose of balance. However, the team looks as out of balance as Brendan Fevola at a Brownlow after party.
 
It cannot be a good education for young and up and coming batsmen to bare witness to the demise of such good careers. Young batsmen would learn plenty in the presence of greatness if greatness was still on top of thier games. Instead we are seeing young batsmen looking uneasy, fishing outside off and chasing wide good length balls. It has been the young brigade that has kept the Australian cricket team, somewhat, afloat. Without the likes of Pattinson, Cummings, Khawaja, Starc, Warner, Marsh, Copeland, Lyon and to a lesser extent Hughes, the test team would now have sunk and divers would be searching for remnants of what once was.
 
Ponting, Hussey and Particularly Haddin are the test teams dead weights. I would argue that if these 3 were to be given thier marching orders, we would have ample experience and room for the young brigade to feel the responsiblity and pride that comes with the Baggy Green. Clarke, Watson, Siddle. 3 players that are young enough to be on top of their game and mentorial at the same time.
 
It is time for the new brigade to be given the mantle of responsibilty. There is nothing better than seeing young cricketers earn their stripes and know that they belong and there is nothing worse than seeing greats of the game cling to side of the boat as it sinks yelling, "I've still got it, I've still got it".
 
Ponting has said he has no intention of retiring anytime soon and so has Haddin and Hussey. Unfortunately, it will come to the dreaded tap on the shoulder and surely that tap is just around the corner.