The team which used to display ruthless aggression by demolishing teams on a consistent basis is now struggling to even keep up with the other teams. The recently concluded Ashes series was another loss that Australia suffered in recent years.
Ever since the retirement of Australia’s cricketing greats like Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Glen McGrath, and Matthew Hayden and recently with Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey, the Australian cricket team has been on a steady decline. The team which used to display ruthless aggression by demolishing teams on a consistent basis is now struggling to even keep up with the other teams. The recently concluded Ashes series was another loss that Australia suffered in recent years. In the current ICC test rankings, Australia is placed fifth, so if today was the cut off for the ICC test championships, then Australia would not even qualify for it. It’s very difficult to digest that fact, isn’t it? Let’s explore on what exactly has gone wrong for Australia in recent times.
Losing Streak
Australia has been on a losing streak lately. Since 2011, Australia has played 30 tests and won only 12 of them, while in ODI’s they have won 36 out of 63 matches played. In T20’s, their performance is even worse; they have lost 12 out of the 22 games played. In the past two years, Australia has won only two test series overseas. They beat the West Indies 2-0 in 2012 and Sri Lanka 1-0 in 2011. Apart from this, Australia has lost the Ashes Urn to England again and was beaten badly by India when they toured the sub continent earlier in the year. In fact, in the last 9 test matches, Australia has lost seven of them and drawn two.
Reasons for Decline?
The main reason for Australia’s decline has been lack of proper replacements for the retired Australian greats. The opening slot in tests is still an issue and the team has lacked a quality spinner since the retirement of the great Shane Warne. Constant injuries have impacted the pace department and the middle order has not been stable for some time now.
There are many reasons being described for Australia’s below par performances recently. One of the reasons that are highlighted is the decaying coaching system. While there are others who believe it is the declining standard of Australia’s domestic tournament ‘Sheffield Shield’ that is to blame for the lack of talent in the Australian cricket team. It wasn’t so long ago, that Australia’s domestic structure was praised by many but the fact that fingers are now being raised at the same structure itself raises questions whether it is indeed foolproof.
Is Australia becoming the West Indies of the 90’s?
The current phase that the Australian team is going through is much similar to the West Indies transition phase in the late nineties. West Indies were struggling to put in consistent wins following the departure of few big name players. Brian Lara did try to consolidate the team with the start of new millennium but struggled to maintain consistency. Michael Clarke is facing a similar situation. Australia is still doing better than the West Indies of the late 90’s but if Australia do not get their act together, it won’t be long before they head the Windies way.
Controversies galore!
Spate of controversies has hit the Australian cricket team in recent times. During the India tour earlier this year, we saw the ‘homeworkgate’ rock the Australian team. Shane Watson was sent home for not doing his homework! Then the (former) coach Mickey Arthur was sacked just days before the first test of the Ashes series. The South African, was not at all pleased at his ill timed sacking and went on a rampage by leaking out secrets about animosity within the team. And we all remember the ‘punchgate’ incident between David Warner and Joe Root during the Champions Trophy. Such instances would have surely had an impact on the team mentally which ultimately resulted in their on field performances.
Blaming IPL & the Big Bash?
Few have even blamed the IPL for the dip in performances of the Australian cricket team. I find it bizarre that IPL has anything to do with Australia’s performance. Yes, Australia does have a large contingent that takes part in the IPL, but so do other countries like West Indies, Sri Lanka, South Africa and of course, India. None of the other teams seemed to have suffered. IPL may have his flaws but the league has in no way affected Australia’s performance. In fact, it was IPL that gave Watson an opportunity to make a comeback to the Australian team and there have been many players like Watson who have targeted the IPL to make a comeback to the team.
Possibly, Big Bash should take the bigger blame than IPL. Australia’s T20 league is organized during December which is actually a test match season down under. Organizing a T20 league during such time will weigh in the performances of the players as they constantly have to switch between two formats. Cricket Australia has taken measures by barring players that have been picked in the test squad and not allow them to participate in the T20 league. This is a good step by the board.
What Next?
It’s time for Cricket Australia to introspect and find what is going wrong with the team and take corrective steps. Australia, is no doubt, going through a tough transition phase and it will take time for the team to start winning on a consistently basis. Hiring Darren Lehmann is a good step that CA has taken. But they should also take a look at the coaching issue at the local level back home and whether their domestic structure’s schedule is hampering the team in any way.
The next few months would be interesting to see what Australia does as they are scheduled to play the return edition of the Ashes down under, India will be touring in 2014/15 and then there is the ODI World Cup in 2015. Let’s wait and watch whether we get to see the new Australia perform dominantly in the months ahead or whether they keep struggling in all three formats.
