David EdwardsHas Warne Ripped Open the Australian Squad?
December 22nd 2006 10:25
With Shane Warne announcing his retirement on Thursday from all forms of domestic and international cricket, it seems it has left a massive hole in the Australian squad, and might be in fact the beginning of the end of their dominance of cricket in all forms.
First of all, Australia will surely miss Warne on the field. I will not get into his off-field antics, because the man should only be judged for his cricketing ability, something that he has a tremendous talent for. The best spin bowler in the world by far, he has brought Australia back from the brink time and time again with he ability to essentially manoeuvre the ball any which way.
He has given this nation his share, and the number of victories that Australia have enjoyed over the past decade or so have all been the more sweeter due to his actions.
But a bigger problem has emerged. With Martyn inexplicably announcing his retirement before the Perth Test, and now Warne announcing his retirement from the game after the Sydney Test, the selectors will be worrying about how the keep Australia dominant in the long term.
The British media had a field day naming our squad ‘Dad’s Army’, referring our aging squad, and I think they have hit closer to home than they thought they could.
In our last Test, 10 players in our squad were aged over 30, with five of our influential players (Gilchrist, Hayden, Langer, McGrath, Warne) over 35. Whilst at the moment it is not an issue, as we have stamped our dominance in both the one day and Test form of the game. However, it might be a problem when we have to defend the Ashes in 2009.
There has been slight talk about how this would affect our squad. For the last few years it has been discussed about our aging players, but as no-one wanted to destroy a working formula, plus show a talented and still able player the door of his career, it has forced us into a bottleneck when considering the next generation of players.
As the current squad were unstoppable, it also forced the selectors to sit back and watch the records rush in, not think about the future. This might have been a horrible move in hindsight as the new squad will be shifting and changing almost every game to find another winning combination.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying we don’t have the talent on our shores to still be the big dog in the game. Nor am I saying that these players have ran their lease on their careers and its time to shut up shop. But if ten players are in their 30s now, will they be able to be as influential in 2009 when we face England on their home shores for the converted trophy once more?
We will have to wait and see. With Martyn and Warne retiring, plus the constant rumour of McGrath announcing his retirement after the Ashes series, the next few years might not be as comfortable as we have become used to over the last decade or so.
One final thing, Sporting Mind wishes everyone a merry Christmas. I will be taking some time off until the 30th, so enjoy the holiday break, watch Warne take his 700th wicket in Melbourne, and above all, remember to vote for your favourite Australian sporting moment of 2006!
Until next time, sports minds.
First of all, Australia will surely miss Warne on the field. I will not get into his off-field antics, because the man should only be judged for his cricketing ability, something that he has a tremendous talent for. The best spin bowler in the world by far, he has brought Australia back from the brink time and time again with he ability to essentially manoeuvre the ball any which way.
He has given this nation his share, and the number of victories that Australia have enjoyed over the past decade or so have all been the more sweeter due to his actions.
But a bigger problem has emerged. With Martyn inexplicably announcing his retirement before the Perth Test, and now Warne announcing his retirement from the game after the Sydney Test, the selectors will be worrying about how the keep Australia dominant in the long term.
The British media had a field day naming our squad ‘Dad’s Army’, referring our aging squad, and I think they have hit closer to home than they thought they could.
In our last Test, 10 players in our squad were aged over 30, with five of our influential players (Gilchrist, Hayden, Langer, McGrath, Warne) over 35. Whilst at the moment it is not an issue, as we have stamped our dominance in both the one day and Test form of the game. However, it might be a problem when we have to defend the Ashes in 2009.
There has been slight talk about how this would affect our squad. For the last few years it has been discussed about our aging players, but as no-one wanted to destroy a working formula, plus show a talented and still able player the door of his career, it has forced us into a bottleneck when considering the next generation of players.
As the current squad were unstoppable, it also forced the selectors to sit back and watch the records rush in, not think about the future. This might have been a horrible move in hindsight as the new squad will be shifting and changing almost every game to find another winning combination.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying we don’t have the talent on our shores to still be the big dog in the game. Nor am I saying that these players have ran their lease on their careers and its time to shut up shop. But if ten players are in their 30s now, will they be able to be as influential in 2009 when we face England on their home shores for the converted trophy once more?
We will have to wait and see. With Martyn and Warne retiring, plus the constant rumour of McGrath announcing his retirement after the Ashes series, the next few years might not be as comfortable as we have become used to over the last decade or so.
One final thing, Sporting Mind wishes everyone a merry Christmas. I will be taking some time off until the 30th, so enjoy the holiday break, watch Warne take his 700th wicket in Melbourne, and above all, remember to vote for your favourite Australian sporting moment of 2006!
Until next time, sports minds.
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Comment by Anonymous
I don't think that the Australian cricket team is going to decline that much - If McGrath retires, than Stuart Clark wil take his place. As a third quick we have the choice of Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Bracken and Shaun Tait.
To replace Warne, we have Dan Cullen and Cameron White, with Stuart MacGill to fill in for the interim. If Gilly retires in the next couple of years, than Brad Haddin can take over the gloves until QLD's Chris Hartley is ready to step up.
Jacques will take over one opening spot, with WA's Chris Rogers filling in another. Middle order wise we have Punter (only 31), Clarke, Husey, Watson, Symonds and even MArcus North.
All looks pretty sweet from here, although Warne and McGrath are legends of the game - thanks for the memories boys!
Merry Christmas, Coach,
StephenP