The incredible fall of Australia....

[Pigeon]

Amazing isn't it? From No.1 to No.4 in a matter of months. Unbelievable too. Everyone predicted they will be in for a turbulent period following McWarne's retirement, but seriously not even the worst Aussie hater would have predicted such a free fall.

I am not starting this thread with a view to attracting trolling or degrading non constructive remarks, but a honest discussion why Australian juggernaut flattened out so quickly and where to in the future.

I am fairly sure they'll have cakewalks in the coming summer against WI and Pakistan but considering they are placed below them at the moment, they will have to rely on other teams namely SA, Ind and SL having bad series to break into the podium once again.

Perhaps selectorial changes? Bring in saner and calmer heads like Border and Waugh. Rope in Warne also?

Perhaps a captaincy change? WI and Pakistan are nice low pressure rivals to give the first taste of captaincy to the budding Clarke who has really earned his No.4 spot in the team now?

Speaking about No.4, say bye-bye to Hussey Senior and have a look at the junior?

What other changes? Drop Clark? Drop Lee? Bring in complete overhauls?

 

[Nate]

We were a wicket away from retaining the Ashes.

CHANGE EVERYTHING.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Amazing isn't it?

Not really. Half a great team retired at the same time and they probably won't reach those heights again for a while, if ever. In the mean time they have a new younger side that will inevitably be inconsistent, at least in the short term.

 

[Pigeon]

Not really. Half a great team retired at the same time and they probably won't reach those heights again for a while, if ever. In the mean time they have a new younger side that will inevitably be inconsistent, at least in the short term.

However, Australia had claim to one of the world's best benches. Regardless of the fact that 6 of them retired in a span of one year, the bench should've have ideally at least cushioned the fall if not prevented it altogether.

 

[Nate]

However, Australia had claim to one of the world's best benches. Regardless of the fact that 6 of them retired in a span of one year, the bench should've have ideally at least cushioned the fall if not prevented it altogether.

You're ridiculous.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Australia just beat the putative #1 test nation in said nation's backyard. We've had peaks of success lower than this Aussie "trough".

 

[HMas]

Higher you rise, harder you fall

 

[inbox24]

The only thing that need to happen is that the selectors need to be put in concentration camps and be gassed to death. Following that Shane Warne, Trevor Hohns, Ian Chappell and other good selectors should be drafted into the panel.

THAT IS ALL.

 

[zaremba]

The only thing that need to happen is that the selectors need to be put in concentration camps and be gassed to death.

Tasteful.

 

[Langeveldt]

Not really.. Australia were the best, now they are just very good..

 

[slippyslip]

No. There was a fall after 1983/84 when Lillee, Marsh and Chappell retired. This is nothing like it.

In the last 5 test series we have played 3/4 top other teams, including S. Af twice. If you look at Australia's test itinerary we have it easy until August 2011 when we tour Sri Lanka. (or are you suggesting England is going to put up a fight in Australia for the first time since 1986/87?)

We have Pakistan, West Indies, New Zealand - 3 countries that dont even bother trying in tests anymore. 5 tests against England at home. 2 test in BANGLADESH. And get this - we have two home tests against the of Might Zimbabwe!

Just how will Australia survive those18 tests matches?

I'm so scared I'm shaking. Will someone please hold?

 

[Athlai]

**** off, of course we try.

 

[inbox24]

Pakistan is so damn underrated. Their spinners will run rings around us and they have solid middle order bats. Certainly better than those of england.

 

[zaremba]

If you look at Australia's test itinerary we have it easy until August 2011 when we tour Sri Lanka. (or are you suggesting England is going to put up a fight in Australia for the first time since 1986/87?)

We have Pakistan, West Indies, New Zealand - 3 countries that dont even bother trying in tests anymore. 5 tests against England at home. 2 test in BANGLADESH. And get this - we have two home tests against the of Might Zimbabwe!

Just how will Australia survive those18 tests matches?

I'm so scared I'm shaking. Will someone please hold?

You may find those other teams deserve a little more respect than you think.

 

[Flem274*]

I'd love to see him try and say to Gayle, J Taylor, Ryder or McCullum that they don't try.

How long before Slippyslips face was caved in?

Anyway, yes Aussie lost to a team that on paper is probably weaker, but they also beat an awesome SA side. They're just inconsistent these days because they don't have the consistent world class play from Warne or McGrath. They still easily have the ability to kick ass though, look at some of the names on their team sheet.

 

[Redbacks]

A precam thread aimed at displaying his pathalogical hatred of Australia once more, who'd a thunk it, lol, 5 days ago such a thread wouldn't have been written, but we lost to a better side so out come the knives.

 

[tooextracool]

We were a wicket away from retaining the Ashes.

CHANGE EVERYTHING.

Tbf, the fact that they were on the same level as a middle level side is in itself hardly admirable. Nor is coming into the series as the world's best team and finishing at number 4 (which is really where they deserve to be).

 

[slippyslip]

You may find those other teams deserve a little more respect than you think.

Well, considering West Indies hasn't beaten Australia since 1992/93, Pakistan 1998 and never have beaten Australia at home and New Zealand since ... 1986?

Bangladesh nor Zimbabwe have ever beaten Australia in a test - at home or away.

Since the 1986/87 series England have won a total of 3 tests in Australia. Thats 18 losses, 3 wins and 4 draws.

Nope. Its 18 easy tests for Australia until we tour Sri Lanka in 2011. And with Murali most likely gone that could be closer than people expect.

Edit: Vaas is already gone from tests.

 

[slippyslip]

Tbf, the fact that they were on the same level as a middle level side is in itself hardly admirable. Nor is coming into the series as the world's best team and finishing at number 4 (which is really where they deserve to be).

We deserve to be number 4 even though Sri Lanka has never even won a test in Australia and India has never won a series? Rubbish.

And England arent a bad side at home. Terrible on the road, yes. But even the Australians expecting Australia to win werent expecting a series win like those from 1989-2001.

Other than the series in India Australia has not been thrashed - even then 2-0 to India in "trying" conditions wasnt that bad. We lost a close series to South Africa at home and a close series to England away. Hardly the end of the world.

 

[zaremba]

Well, considering West Indies hasn't beaten Australia since 1992/93, Pakistan 1998 and never have beaten Australia at home and New Zealand since ... 1986?

Bangladesh nor Zimbabwe have ever beaten Australia in a test - at home or away.

Since the 1986/87 series England have won a total of 3 tests in Australia. Thats 18 losses, 3 wins and 4 draws.

Nope. Its 18 easy tests for Australia until we tour Sri Lanka in 2011. And with Murali and Vaas most likely gone that could be closer than people expect.

Posts like this are one of the reasons why beating Australia is so enjoyable.

Anyhow, before you get too carried away with yourself, try to remember that past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Particularly when you're replacing McGrath with Siddle, Warne with Hauritz, Gilchrist with Haddin (etc) and your best remaining players are reaching the end of their shelf lives.