Oz debacle: New order in World cricket
Aussie loss of home test series in 16 yrs is like 'the crumbling of an empire.'
By ET Bureau |
The Australian cricket team���s first loss of a Test series at home in sixteen years has been described by the Sydney Morning Herald as ���the crumbling of an empire���.
The number one team in both Tests and ODIs is on the way down. In October-November, the Aussies lost a four-Test series by a margin of 0-2, going down to India by 320 runs at Mohali and by 172 runs at Nagpur.
Now, South Africa has demolished the aura of Australian supremacy by winning the first two Tests at Perth and Melbourne. Senior Aussie batsmen like Hayden and Hussey have flopped against a South African attack spearheaded by paceman Steyn and supported by Ntini, Morkel and spinner Harris. The Aussie bowling attack has looked ineffective, with the exception of Johnson at Perth and Siddle at Melbourne.
Fast bowler Brett Lee has not been able to take wickets while Symonds is a pale shadow of the all-rounder who used to contribute regularly to Aussie victories. Both have now been rested, Lee for a suspected stress-fracture and Symonds for a knee injury. Ponting scored 101 and 99 at Melbourne but his captaincy has been questioned by his deputy Clarke.
If South Africa wins the last Test, it will replace Australia as the number one team in the ICC rankings. That would surely be a moment of change in the cricketing world. Australia���s Daily Telegraph has compared it with the sinking of the Titanic!
However, the fact remains that Australia was the dominant team in all formats of the game over the last decade. Few teams have had that kind of success. It is good for international cricket that Aussie supremacy has been challenged by South Africa and India.
However, some reactions by players from other teams seem a bit over the top. After South Africa���s wins at Perth and Melbourne, Indian off-spinner Harbhajan said the Aussies should focus on playing and not talking. If Harbhajan had followed his own advice, he would not have made such a comment!
The number one team in both Tests and ODIs is on the way down. In October-November, the Aussies lost a four-Test series by a margin of 0-2, going down to India by 320 runs at Mohali and by 172 runs at Nagpur.
Now, South Africa has demolished the aura of Australian supremacy by winning the first two Tests at Perth and Melbourne. Senior Aussie batsmen like Hayden and Hussey have flopped against a South African attack spearheaded by paceman Steyn and supported by Ntini, Morkel and spinner Harris. The Aussie bowling attack has looked ineffective, with the exception of Johnson at Perth and Siddle at Melbourne.
Fast bowler Brett Lee has not been able to take wickets while Symonds is a pale shadow of the all-rounder who used to contribute regularly to Aussie victories. Both have now been rested, Lee for a suspected stress-fracture and Symonds for a knee injury. Ponting scored 101 and 99 at Melbourne but his captaincy has been questioned by his deputy Clarke.
If South Africa wins the last Test, it will replace Australia as the number one team in the ICC rankings. That would surely be a moment of change in the cricketing world. Australia���s Daily Telegraph has compared it with the sinking of the Titanic!
However, the fact remains that Australia was the dominant team in all formats of the game over the last decade. Few teams have had that kind of success. It is good for international cricket that Aussie supremacy has been challenged by South Africa and India.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, some reactions by players from other teams seem a bit over the top. After South Africa���s wins at Perth and Melbourne, Indian off-spinner Harbhajan said the Aussies should focus on playing and not talking. If Harbhajan had followed his own advice, he would not have made such a comment!
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
