On ya Archie: a true team player

I missed this earlier - prior to my last post - Adm Gilchrist's third baby (Archie), has already proven to be a true team player, making his entrance early so Dad can head of for national duties in the Carribean. You beauty! (CricInfo Story)

Just like the old days

Having supported the Australian cricket team and the Geelong Football Club for my entire life, I have had plenty of experience at all points of the "sport's fans emotionalal rollacoater". (Aussie Rules fans will know what I mean regarding the GFC reference there). Suffice to say, in my life time, I have not witness the ultimate success for my club - at all! (not since 1963 in fact!) - but clearly, with the Aussies - I have.

Many say, that supporting a side that is dominant for an extended period of time can actually become less fulfilling, than following a struggling one. All that happens is that you become more frustrated or angry when they lose, and merely accept any win that comes your way. Following a "lowly" side, means that when they do win, you get to be really, really happy. Witness the scenes from Trafalgar square in 2005 - English supporters had more collective joy and celebration (and alcohol) than Aussies have had, even after all their wins, in a decade.

So now, with the World Cup just days away, and Australia potentially missing Lee, Symonds and Hayden - and you would have to imagine, Clarke and Ponting with something niggly going on, us Aussie supporters have our chance to be really (really, really, really) excited should we manage to make the final - it's like the good ol' days. And with this perhaps temporary, perhap not, change in the balance of power in the cricketing world, comes opportunities for all the other main stream sides to step up and claim themselves a World Cup title.

This promises to be one of the most closely fought competitions ever. Don't be surprised to see the likes on India, New Zealand and England right in the mix at the business end. Sri Lanka and Pakistan, like always, could do anything - the West Indies at home, while unlikely to win, will be a huge factor in the outcome. Of course it is practically impossible to conceive one of the associate sides making the finals, but with everyone else so even, any early upsets could see one of aassociates sneak through to the super 8s - the big boys will need to be on guard - all will want early wins to sure things up a bit. Australia without Symonds and Gilchrist early, and Lee for the duration will too, be susceptible to this.

Bring it on...

Topping off a great little tour...

The tour that no-one wanted, has now bruised more than just Ausralia's ego and confidence. The three - nil "black wash" of the Aussies by the Kiwis was a downer - but now, injurying Brett Lee and forcing him out the World Cup altogether makes the whole Chappell-Hadlee trophy a farce - from Australia's point of view!

The enitre World Cup campaign seems to be going decidedly pear shaped right now. Let's look at it objectively - an ageing side, a hectic schedule with a World Cup right at the end of it all. We had to expect this. It's not an excuse I'm offering or anything like that - I just think we shouldn't be that surprised. Trouble is too, it's not the old blokes that are breaking down!

Anyway with no Symonds or Lee, you have to wonder - the big hope that the timid bowling efforst in NZ could be arrested, was the return of Lee to spark things up a bit - well now that can't happen, it's a big concern. Clark could be good - but then, he could be bad. All I can say is the batsmen are going to have to make a lot of runs for Australia to progress far here, and even then - just how many record scores can one side fail to defend?

What would Ponting be thinking - well you can bet it would be positive. One good performance from a couple of bolwers - the batting is fine anyway - that's all it needs...we'll see...(oh, and rumours afoot they're chasing Shane Warne out of retirements - hard to see that happening if John Buchanan is anywhere near the place...

S.O.S!

The fact that Australia has lost a few games - alone - shouldn't worry anyone that much. What should be deeply concerning to all involved (in the Aussie camp) is how we've lost these games.

The four highest successful run chases have "gone down" against Australia in the last 18 months. Australia have real difficulty defending these large totals - especially on small grounds where batsmen are able to dominate our bowling seamingly at will.

Sure, the addition of Brett Lee will add a little, (if he can get fit that is) but not that much. Anything can happen in a given ODI match, but nothing can happen in the next couple of months, that is going to change the mentality of opposition sides chasing runs against Australia - they will always know that anything can be done, any total chased down from any circumstance. Against oppostion with that mentality, you may win some of the games, you may even win a lot of the games, but you won't win anywhere near all of them, and you won't win a cut throat compettition like the World Cup.

If nothing else, it adds a great deal of interest to the World Cup now. South Africa are shortening as favourites, but I think the field is now wide open - Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England and India would have to be considered real chances now.

Smiling Kiwi assassins...

New Zeland have just systematically cut down Australia's total of 336 at Edan Park. From about the 20th over onward, NZ rarely looked like missing their target.

I haven't had time to comment since NZ's record breaking 10 wicket win over the Aussies on Friday, and the events of this game have not changed anything I would've said after Friday's.

People will say it doesn't mean that much because the Aussies are no where near full strength - wrong! Maybe it doesn't mean that much with regards to Australia's hopes at the World Cup. I certainly don't think it does - what does, is whether the likes of Lee and Symonds can be properly fit in time, and how "niggly" Ponting and Clarke's injuries really are.

One aspect of Australia's game, which has been a concern since way back at thw Wander's at the beginning of last year, is just how easily opposition teams chase down large totals the we set - and as a side issue, how much Australia struggle when the heat is really on. We've built such a game around complete dominating the opposition, that when they stand up and fight back - as the Kiwis always do, we are often found lacking these days. But that's it for the Aussie side of the coin, as far as I'm concerned, Ponting and co will regroup for the World Cup and commence that assault when the time is right. If, which I personally believe, we are not successful, many will look back to this preparation and try to blame it - not so! Remember the build up to the Ashes - how in appropriate so many said it was - didn't matter that much.

But you cannot comment on these last two ODI games, and even the end of the CBA series in Australia, without heaping praise on the Kiwi's. While their own fans seem to brow beaten or pessimistic to ever believe they're any good, I've been singing their praises for a long time now. While on one hand I've said this doesn't really effect the Aussie's world cup campaign that much, it does effect the Kiwi's. And if effects it just so positively! They now head off to the carribean full of confidence and on a high - full of belief that they can beat anyone in the world - and rightly so!

Many will still want to say this was a second rate Australian side - well I would defy anyone to say that to the guys playing in it. Each and every one of them would consider themselves a part of (or at least front running contenders for a place in) that side - and Steve Flemming and co have smashed them.

If you're looking to throw few bets down on the World Cup, get your money on the Kiwi's and Shane Bond, but not too close to the Aussies.

The times they are a changin'

Talking to my 6 year old this morning about school yard cricket - he was telling me about a few arguments they have when some kids think someone is out, and he won't
"go".

I said, all parent like, "you know, in real cricket, the umpire's decision is final, when he say's you're out, you have to go even if you think he's wrong...", to which he replied very matter-of-factly, "Yeh, or when the 'board' says you're out!"...

So it looks like now-a-days we have to ammed the saying, "the umpire's decision is final" huh?

Gilchrist out - squad to be named today

The latest news, which I see CricInfo is leading with too is that Adam Gilchrist will miss the start of the World Cup, to attend the birth of his third child.

Great news for him - I'm not vying into the personal side of that argument right here, but it will be very interesting indeed in Haddin scores a few runs (by a few I mean plenty) considering Gilly's recent run of outs in the ODIs in Australia. I feel the World Cup could be Gilly's last tour anyway - they say never give a sucker an even break - is it possible Haddin could do the impossible and snatch that keeper batsman spot from under Gilly's nose (or ears) - have we seen the last of Gilly? (I seriously doubt it).

So the 15 man squad to be named today - with Haddin a certainty now, and baring in mind they'll need to name the injured Symonds, will look something like this...
Hayden, Gilchrist, Ponting, Hodge, Hussey, Clarke, Watson, Symonds, Lee, McGrath, White, Haddin, Hogg, Bracken, Clark

That's my opinion - missing is Tait, and I don't think the selectors will do that, but I think we need Stuart Clark in there - he is the Glenn McGrath heir apparent and should be treated that way - remember, Glenn is no certainty to make it through the tournament...

So what would be the top starting line up from that squad -that's tough, assuming full fitness, I think,

Hayden
Gilchrist
Ponting
Hodge
Clarke
Hussey
Symonds
Lee
Clark
Bracken
McGrath

So that's if picked right now, but there is scope for change, Cameron White needs to be more effective with the ball to sneak in down the order and push perhaps one of the Clark(e)s, and there is a big question mark in the batting - don't forget that leaves Haddin, Hogg and Watson out!! Where would they go in? Well Michael Clarke's and Brad Hodge's spots are loaded. Especially as, in that side, there is a fifth bowler problem that could be solved by Watson, or helped at least by including Hogg.

This selection job is tough hey? All I can say is the Aussies will want to run into some form - in my opinion the only players that pick themselves right now are Ponting and Hussey.

Australians worried

I heard interesting interviews with Merv Hughes (currently an Australian selector) and Mark Waugh on Melbourne sports radio station SEN last night and this morning respectively.

Merv, discussed the selection issues raised lately, particularly over Cameron White, Stuart Clark and Shane Watson. Merv of course said Stuart Clark was unlucky to miss out, and also unlucky to miss out on the NZ tour - and it was great to see him pick up 8 wickets on the weekend. All predictable stuff. Merv also pointed out the Ricky Ponting really wanted to go to NZ, and had to be told not to, effectively dropped, to give a back injury and hip problem time to settle down before the World Cup - spin?? probably - the Aussies will get bad press in NZ for sending a "second rate" side. Reading between the lines though, I think Merv showed signs that they had made mistakes with selection, and also, there were concerns in the current ODI side.

Mark Waugh was a little more forthright, and highlighted a few worries he had - Cameron White is not bowling well enough, Gilchrist and Hayden are getting out the same way all the time and therefore there a concerns at the top of the order, and he felt, Stuart Clark won't go to the World Cup - he thinks he should, but feels that the selectors will go with Tait, for shock value! Interesting.

Aus v Eng - CBA Series - Second Final

From the sublime to the ridiculous. Australia's dominance of this CBA series ended with a thud, in rain affected scenes that reseembled the scenario last time England took a trophy off the Aussies. England fans, singing in the stands, rejoicing the announcement that the game was over, and England have won - Aussies, beware the washout.

Like that fateful Test at the Oval in the darkening September days of 2005, England completely outplayed Australia again in this match - albeit just a 50 over game. Australia fought their way back into the game in the field after a good start by England had made a 300 total possible - and restricted them to a very 'gettable' 246.

From there Australia were never in the hunt. To sum it up quickly, 2 early wickets put pressure on the Australian middle order, that I still believe it is not built to cope with. Hodge was good again, but had no support. Hussey may finally be heading into the downside of the curve everyone has been warning about - although not there yet let's be honest. Gilchrist continued to struggle against the moving ball and while batsman after batsman fell away, England went from strength to strenght, all culminating it what was easily, the catch of the summer, by Dalrymple at backward point - completely airborne, projecting himself metres to his left to snaffle Shane Watson and start tapping that final nail into the coffin.

So, as much as it aches to say it, well played Poms! To pick yourselves up off your collective backsides, after losing Pietersen and Vaughan, and inject the momentum into the camp just prior to the World Cup, is a credit to you - not to mention the joy you will no doubt take, from sticking a little seed of doubt into the Aussie camp, just a month out...

So a few questions - why was Stuart Clarke dropped, and when Cameron White was seen as a luxury in a side that contained Andrew Symonds, why the hell drop him, once Symonds is out.

Aussies will say this was just a warm up to the World Cup, and they were probably quite honestly trying a few combinations, but they have always prided themselves on winning every contest they turn up for - now they haven't, if things don't go according to plan in the Carribean, we may well look back and wonder...

Aust v Eng - CBA series First Final

Not so much a "final twist" as "finally, a twist!". In a game reminicent of the changing fortunes and quality cricket of the 2005 English summer, than the borish domination of the Australians counted by meek submission of the English, we've become accustomed to over the past 3 months - England did a job on the Aussies last night at the MCG.

Take two snapshots from the game - Australia 1 for 150 at one point, England 3 for 15 at one point, who could imagine England getting up? Well they did - and they did it in true Vaughan-led style - except for one thing, he is on a plane home! Freddie Flintoff finally managed to lead, as he leads best, by example, both with the bat and the ball, and he did it, while captaining. An awesome sign for English fans for the future. So far this summer, his leadership has been non-existant. When he wasn't captaining, he led the way with inspirational bowling spells and powerful batting - as captain all that had dissipated. Not last night. Both England and New Zealand have had the game plan to beat Australia in the 50 over form of the game this summer, they just haven't executed. And at times it's been woeful batting or fielding that has prevented that execution.

History would say, Australia will bounce back and probably even take this series still...but what a well timed reversal of fortune for England. Two wins in a row against the world champs. They came good late in the ICC trophy too - in time to win their last game emphatically, they've come good now...if they can manage to somehow start well in the world cup next month, who knows what may happen?

Back to the game - with Australia cruising at about the 30 over mark, they capitulated, some may say, English style, to post just over 250 - albeit a competitive score, but Collingwood saw to it, that it wasn't enough. Flintoff departed just before the game was safe, but Collingwood didn't follow. His form now shoes a wicked "J curve" as since his 200 in Adelaide, he's been on a pretty much downward spiral, but now wickets, catches and two consecutive hundreds and this series is well and truly up for grabs. You may remember that special Collingwood catch that sparked England into action in England in '05 - well who knows what's coming? From here, it's Sydney on Sunday, then, us Aussies are hoping, it's on to Adelaide for the decider - Flintoff may have other plans.

Just on that decider - did anyone catch Bill Lawry (on Channel Nine's coverage) doing the summary after the game, saying how exciting it all was and generally going over the top - did anyone notice how excited he was that "this now guarantees a third final" - I wonder if any English fans pointed out just how best of three works, should Australia lose on Sunday???

Not so much a "New Zealand Day"

The frustration for Kiwi supporters continued yesterday as their side chocked a spluttered their way through the final overs of the final One Dayer in the preliminary stages of the Commonwealth Bank Series. So disappointing after such a great start.

Steve Flemming looked elegant at times during his 106 which while being the back bone of the innings, probably slowed them down at the critical time and left the very capable tail which includes the never-say-die Daniel Vetori and the sweet hitting, baby-face Franklin. NZ fell 14 runs short on their national day - why is it they play so much above themselves when they are against the Aussies - if it is just Trans-Tasman rivalry, they really ought to find a way to lift like that for all their games. They are a serious challenger for the World Cup at their best, and in danger failing in the qualifiers at their worst.

I for one find them one of the most entertaining sides when they're on, but they find so many ways to be off, it's frustrating.

The Alan Border Medal and the White Elephant

Ricky Ponting predictably took out Cricket Australia's "prestigious" Alan Border Medal last night. Big Surprise - in fact if he hadn't, the over hyped, contrived, Brownlow Medal ripoff awards nights would've lost whatever scrap of credibility it may have had. Ricky's dominance and incredible performance many of which came when matches were there to be won, meant he was a "shoe-in".

But seriously, is there anyone who takes this award seriously? I know the players try to look like they care - they have to - Channel Nine is quite influencial in cricket circles in Australia if you haven't noticed.

If you're familiar with Australian Football's Brownlow Medal night, you will realise this is a complete copy of the enitre event, designed by Channel Nine, back in the day where their rival network, Channel 7 in Melborne, hosted the Aussie Rules event. Channell Nine I belive wantedhave something to televise that compared with the glitz, glamour, razza-mataz and frocked up girl friends on the red carpet.

The problem is, Aussie Rules lends itself to a the 3,2,1 voting system (and that's debatable I admit) or at least the overall format, with set fixtures over a well defined season.

The Alan Border Medal is a completely contrived for television event - with parts of different seasons taken into account - broken across different tours as so on.

Perhaps the best illustration of just how "contrived for TV" this "award" is, is when we are simply just informed of how the votes went for the first few games, then with a bit of mock suspense the last few games are counted out. It is all just so silly.

No disrespect to Alan Border who I believe is one of the most important influences on Australia's nearly 20 reign at or near the top of World Cricket, or any of the past winners is intended - it's not their fault - it just a waste of time. These vote counts are far more worthwhile in local grade cricket where the season and the draw is fixed and consistent. On an interntaional stage it is just not required. We have man of the series awards and plenty of trophies - leave this staged spectacular out - I can't see it lasting more than another 10 years.

Symonds Out!

Andrew Symonds will miss the rest of the Commonwealth Bank Series and the start of the World Cup - good news for the rest of the world hey? Time for either White or Watson to stand up I say - or both... see CricInfo report

Questions unanswered?

England managed to "break the ice" with their first win against the Aussies since arriving back in November! I heard comments on the ABC coverage saying this performance leaves many questions unanswered about the current Australian side.

That is because the only answer they are looking for is that "Australia are going to dominate the upcoming World Cup" or "Australia are going to maintain the current gap between them and the rest of the world" - this is not the case and that is why if they keep searching for this answer, it will remain unanswered.

Australia are favourites to win right now...sure! But are they dead set certainties - of course not, and people seem to delight in pointing this out. It's not big revelation really. They won the last World Cup as favourites, but if not for a couple of huge individual efforts, they would not have - Symonds vs Pakistan, Ponting in the final to name just two, completely changed the face of those games - now lets remember back to the Cup before that, in England, Australia shouldn't have made it - Pakistan were run away favourites, and probably should've been playing South Africa in the final. So why, with many of Australia's stars now 8 years old than back in England are people so keen to point out how we've slipped? I'm not sure. All I know is, while favourites, they are not certainties. If they weren't certainties in either of the last two world cups, why would they be this time.

I think this current side is more susceptible to an opposition that is just "on" - as indeed England were yesterday. The batting line up is more suspect under pressure and the bowling not quite as deep. That's not to say that any of these players can't be part of a World Champion side - of course they can, but in my opinion, so could a side containing Tendulkar and Dravid, or Flemming and Bond, Kallis and Ntini or Pietersen and Flintoff.

The World Cup in March, will, like all others have it's disappointments (sides that just don't perform like they should - South Africa last time) and it's surprise packets. My tip is still, Australia but again, not as condident as I was about this last time.