Rather than ending dramatically, I tend to agree with much Will has to say in a recent post, we are probably witnessing the slow end of an era right now, as the Australian aura fades...
This sort of thing has been predicted a few times over recent years, most notably when we lost the Ashes to England in '05. Of course, losing McGrath, Warne, Langer and Martyn, in one summer has to leave a large whole, and really, the perceived dominance was extended somewhat artificially I believe, by a poor showing from Sri Lanka at the start of this Australian summer. Australia just got all the momentum in the Boxing Day Test and since then, India has had the better of most days cricket played.
I am not suggesting we a going to see a return to the doldrums of the early 1980s -far from it. The money and infrastructure in the game, in Australia is far too advanced for that. However, Australia are no longer going to have it all their own way against the likes of India, South Africa or England. who will not be prepared to sit back and allow Australia to bully them anymore. India and England have exposed the panic and loss of composure that can sometimes occur when the Aussie's, under Ponting, feel threatened.
I for one, would like to see Mike Hussey take a more prominent leadership role and along with Adam Gilchrist, openly mentor Michael Clarke as he, it seems, holds a lot of the responsibility for the future of the Test team; that in itself a bit of a concern.
Ponting's leadership as a batsman is unquestionable and awesome, his attitude is somewhat more questionable and less awesome though. He's the right choice for captain at the moment, don't get me wrong, and he's well and truly earned it. He'll leave his own unique stamp on Australian Cricket history, but as a captain he won't be remembered on the same page a Greg Chappell, Alan Border, Mark Taylor, or Steve Waugh. Having said that, you'd have to prefer watching him bat to pretty much any of those (save maybe Chappell.)
2 comments so far...:
In comparitive terms, maybe yes. I think it is difficult, may impossible, for anyone to match what Australia has achieved in the past dozen years.
The dimming of their reputation alone might have an effect on their opponents.
Australian might got runs and wickets. The thought of it subdued others and impeded them from doing the same.
Australia are now slightly inferior to their former selves and opponents may prove to be slightly superior, despite no discernible improvement in class.
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