David EdwardsHow Has Australia Threatened It’s World Cup Chances?
February 20th 2007 12:19
The last month or so of Australian cricket has been quite dismal for its supporters.
First of all, after the majority of the summer being the dominant juggernauts of the competition we let out guard slip at the worst possible time, and as a result not only allow England to win against us, but in fact hand the finals series over to them in just two matches.
Now we have allowed another opponent roll us over, as New Zealand, who were quite competitive during the Commonwealth Bank Trophy series, get the upper hand mere weeks before the biggest competition for one day cricket by beating us 3 games to nil in the Chappell-Hadley Trophy.
To make matters worse, other than the ever growing list of key players falling over in injury, is that for the first time since the one day rankings were created, we have fallen off the top of the perch, as South Africa are now crowned the kings of the game.
If there ever was a time where this simply could not happen, that time is now. Not only because we have let our guard slip when South Africa was constantly nipping at our heels, or we have pushed ourselves to the brink that it seems we might be slipping in our form, but rather because with the World Cup right around the corner we have seemed to lose our game before the biggest tournament the game has to offer gets underway.
True, there are reasons for such form. First of all our player line-up is not as strong at the moment than it usually is, mainly because players such as Ponting and Gilchrist are taking a long-earned break whilst players such as Clarke, Lee and Symonds are out for the moment with various injuries, but this means that we were only ever a true one-dimensional side that did not have a competitive depth, a vital error in today’s game.
Second of all, the loss between England and New Zealand can be thought of losing to a winning side. It is well documented that if a side is on a winning streak, chances are that they will more often than not continue on that streak. England were able to do it over here, New Zealand did it at their home ground, even South Africa were able to win their games to grab the number one spot.
And on the other side of the coin, if there is truth in the winning streak, there must be truth in the losing streak, and at the moment Australia are going through one that is happening at the worst possible time. Their next major matches are the World Cup, and if our squad is unable to break this in time then we will struggle to even get past the first round of the tournament.
Of course, this could all be simply put down to a ‘chicken little’ complex (the sky is falling, the sky is falling!) before the big game. A few players will be back at the start, such as Ponting, Gilchrist, and with any luck Clarke and Symonds. Whilst the squad might not have been firing in Auckland, they will definitely be firing on all cylinders come the West Indies, and we might come out all guns blazing to dessimate the entire competition.
As I have said constantly throughout my blog, only time will tell. Unfortunately it seems with our form, time is not on our side. We will meet up with, and quicker than hoped, the new number one side, and our fiercest rivals at the moment, South Africa. Expect nothing to be left behind when this match gets underway.
Until next time, sports minds.
First of all, after the majority of the summer being the dominant juggernauts of the competition we let out guard slip at the worst possible time, and as a result not only allow England to win against us, but in fact hand the finals series over to them in just two matches.
Now we have allowed another opponent roll us over, as New Zealand, who were quite competitive during the Commonwealth Bank Trophy series, get the upper hand mere weeks before the biggest competition for one day cricket by beating us 3 games to nil in the Chappell-Hadley Trophy.
To make matters worse, other than the ever growing list of key players falling over in injury, is that for the first time since the one day rankings were created, we have fallen off the top of the perch, as South Africa are now crowned the kings of the game.
If there ever was a time where this simply could not happen, that time is now. Not only because we have let our guard slip when South Africa was constantly nipping at our heels, or we have pushed ourselves to the brink that it seems we might be slipping in our form, but rather because with the World Cup right around the corner we have seemed to lose our game before the biggest tournament the game has to offer gets underway.
True, there are reasons for such form. First of all our player line-up is not as strong at the moment than it usually is, mainly because players such as Ponting and Gilchrist are taking a long-earned break whilst players such as Clarke, Lee and Symonds are out for the moment with various injuries, but this means that we were only ever a true one-dimensional side that did not have a competitive depth, a vital error in today’s game.
Second of all, the loss between England and New Zealand can be thought of losing to a winning side. It is well documented that if a side is on a winning streak, chances are that they will more often than not continue on that streak. England were able to do it over here, New Zealand did it at their home ground, even South Africa were able to win their games to grab the number one spot.
And on the other side of the coin, if there is truth in the winning streak, there must be truth in the losing streak, and at the moment Australia are going through one that is happening at the worst possible time. Their next major matches are the World Cup, and if our squad is unable to break this in time then we will struggle to even get past the first round of the tournament.
Of course, this could all be simply put down to a ‘chicken little’ complex (the sky is falling, the sky is falling!) before the big game. A few players will be back at the start, such as Ponting, Gilchrist, and with any luck Clarke and Symonds. Whilst the squad might not have been firing in Auckland, they will definitely be firing on all cylinders come the West Indies, and we might come out all guns blazing to dessimate the entire competition.
As I have said constantly throughout my blog, only time will tell. Unfortunately it seems with our form, time is not on our side. We will meet up with, and quicker than hoped, the new number one side, and our fiercest rivals at the moment, South Africa. Expect nothing to be left behind when this match gets underway.
Until next time, sports minds.
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