Can Australia survive without Warne and McGrath???

[vandemataram]

I always thought that Australia was one team that has excellent reserves, even the second best team in the World might struggle against an Aus A team.Batsmen like Bevan/Law/Slater can't find a place in Australian Test team, while bowlers like Bracken, McGill and Flemming can't get a place in the test side.In my opinion had those bowler would have played for any other team, they might have been their front line bowler.
I was amazed to read a statement by an English supporter (Proud-English) claiming that Australian bowling attack without McGrath and Warne is totally crap! I find it very hard to accept, does anyone think that Australians cannot survive without those two class bowlers??

 

[Top_Cat]

Well when you consider the role changes that had to occur (Gillespie to leader of the attack, Brett Lee to a more responsible position, MacGill to lead spinner from not being int he side at all) it's no surprise that they struggled, regardless of the talent.

Like every other team, the incumbent players have to adjust and the new players have to settle too so there's a period of uncertainty. But the current bowlers have the talent to step up. Its just a matter of how settled the attack is.

An example is the 1995 tour of the West Indies; the Aussies lost Craig McDermott (the leader of the attack) and Damien Fleming (who'd just come off a successful series against England) before the Test series. So it required others to step up. They did, just like the players today would have to. Paul Reiffel lead the attack, Glenn McGrath had a career-defining series and Warnie was pretty solid too.

Great sides can recover from losses of their great players and this one would probably be no different, given a little time.

 

[age_master]

if the batting stands up better and gillespie was fit i am sure we would do just fine

 

[Eclipse]

It would take some time as you would expcet but there are so many top class players ou there Australia we would still be very strong.

 

[Neil Pickup]

We're just enjoying it whilst we can..

Of course Australia will be fine with a second string, it just takes time for them to settle in, like with anything.

 

[chris.hinton]

People forget that Australia have not got a young Bowler at all

 

[Rik]

People forget that Australia have not got a young Bowler at all

Bracken...Noffke...?

 

[chris.hinton]

Bracken...Noffke...?

ok but they are near the wrong side of 25

 

[Rik]

The problem Australia have is that Warne and McGrath are out of this world bowlers and Brett Lee and Bichel, Williams and MacGil will never be as good as them. They are just not as relentlessly accurate. Australia will be ok but unless they come up with another bowler like either then they will be much closer to the opposition and be forced to scrap more often like in the 5th Test.

 

[Anil]

Australia can survive without Warne and McGrath. However, if the question is whether they will be as dominant, it is extremely doubtful atleast in the short run. None of the current support bowlers are nearly as good as those two. So, while the attack will still be good, it will be blunted to a great extent and the better teams like SA and even NZ and England will take advantage and win a few.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

IMO teams have the opportunity to take adavntage of Australia when they are injury weakened but most of the times, will not do so. This is due to the mental aspect and the history of Aussie dominance that will continue to stir fear into opposition until Australia lose a couple of consecutive Test series'.

 

[Anil]

IMO teams have the opportunity to take adavntage of Australia when they are injury weakened but most of the times, will not do so. This is due to the mental aspect and the history of Aussie dominance that will continue to stir fear into opposition until Australia lose a couple of consecutive Test series'.

The history of Aussie dominance will have relevance only if Australia continues to dominate. If their bowling which has won them so many series is perceived to be weaker, I don't think other teams will hold back because of some kind of fear or psychological block or something.

The very recent example of a battered and bruised England crushing a Warne-less, McGrath-less Australia is a clear indicator atleast of the fact that Australia won't have it so easy if those 2 aren't around. If England can do that to a depleted Aussie side, on current form SA or even NZ is capable of going even further. I am not saying that Aussies will always lose if these 2 aren't there, but they certainly are going to win lesser number of tests and series till they find suitable replacements.

All this talk of youngsters already lining up to fill their shoes is for now, just that, talk. A reasonably experienced Gillespie isn't nearly good enough for that yet, forget untested newcomers.

 

[sasnoz]

i think teams lift when they play understrength aussie team because the standards slip a little

 

[masterblaster]

Paul Rofe, Nathan Bracken, Mitchell Johnson, Ashley Noffke, the list goes on and on. Rofe should break into the squad soon, and Johnson has got some searing pace.

 

[Rik]

Paul Rofe, Nathan Bracken, Mitchell Johnson, Ashley Noffke, the list goes on and on. Rofe should break into the squad soon, and Johnson has got some searing pace.

Yes but none of them are a McGrath. They are all decent bowlers but none a great one, none are players capable of striking fear into their oponents just by name! As for Johnson's searing pace...just look at Brett Lee to see how pace is nothing unless it's complimented with swing, or a decent line and length.

 

[Top_Cat]

Yes but none of them are a McGrath. They are all decent bowlers but none a great one, none are players capable of striking fear into their oponents just by name!

Neither did Glenn McGrath until he'd been playing Test cricket for two years.

They've all got potential, as did McGrath in 1993. It just remains to be seen whether they can make the step up from potential to performance.

Sure, quality is what DOES matter but hard work and consistency was what got Glenn to where he is today. If these guys get a chance and work like buggery to keep it, they might just do as well as McGrath.

Having said that, the potential in McGrath was seen very early. He only played 8 FC games for NSW before he was in the Test side............

 

[Rik]

Neither did Glenn McGrath until he'd been playing Test cricket for two years.

They've all got potential, as did McGrath in 1993. It just remains to be seen whether they can make the step up from potential to performance.

Sure, quality is what DOES matter but hard work and consistency was what got Glenn to where he is today. If these guys get a chance and work like buggery to keep it, they might just do as well as McGrath.

Having said that, the potential in McGrath was seen very early. He only played 8 FC games for NSW before he was in the Test side............

The thing about McGrath is that he's so economical added to his Wicket Taking ability so even if he doesn't get you many wickets, he, like Pollock, will almost insure you get a draw. I can't see that in any of the new players. Also Bichel and Lee bowl a lot of bad balls and without Warne then you'll have a spinner like MacGill who bowls a lot of bad balls...then it's going to be hard to keep the oppo from getting quite a few and therefor more pressure on the batsmen. Australia will be closer to most of the other teams, they may stay ahead but only just.

 

[Eclipse]

Well Rick I no for a fact that Rofe and Nofkie are both extremly economical.

 

[chris.hinton]

Paul Rofe, Nathan Bracken, Mitchell Johnson, Ashley Noffke, the list goes on and on. Rofe should break into the squad soon, and Johnson has got some searing pace.

But you have got to ask the Question Are they good Enough?

Rofe (22) Average 31.44 ( Yes he good Enough)

Bracken (25) Average 28.64 ( Have not been close to the side so the Jury out i think!)

Johnson (22) Played only 2 matches but is very quick He might be a Long Term Prospect

Noffke (26) Average 27.26 i dont think that he will get close

I reseraching Aussie Cricket and this will be the team in 2007

Marsh, Hayden, Ponting (Capt), North, Clarke, Gilcrist, Watson, Rofe, Bracken,Haurittz, Johnson

12th man White

 

[Eclipse]

Nofkie is deffinatly good enough he heas been outstanding this season hes very much like McGrath.