The Hindu : Sport : Aussie supremacy on the wane

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Friday, Jun 24, 2005

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Aussie supremacy on the wane

Although its cricketing culture has been strong since the debilitations of the 1980's were corrected, it is not immune to cuts in the supply line.

PETER ROEBUCK

Australia's cricketing supremacy is moving inexorably towards its conclusion. Since 1976, two cricketing forces had dominated the game — the mighty West Indians gathered by Clive Lloyd and unleashed upon a world unprepared for their athletic excellence and ruthlessness of execution, and an Australian outfit whose hallmark has been its blend of aggression and efficiency.

Now, thirty years later, the rest must feel that their time has come.

Not that the Australians will endure the lamentable and avoidable collapse experienced in the Caribbean. Notwithstanding occasional shenanigans from the usual suspects, whose private lives are their own affair, Australia has avoided the trap of self-celebration. Nevertheless, the end is nigh. Although its cricketing culture has been strong since the debilitations of the 1980's were corrected, it is not immune to cuts in the supply line.

Pride and purpose alone are insufficient to maintain high standards. Almost without exception, great teams contain at least a handful of great players. Amongst the current Australians, only Gilchrist, Warne and McGrath can walk unchallenged into the room reserved for great sportsmen. Their figures survive the most rigorous scrutiny but that tells only half the tale. Repeatedly they have dictated the course of international matches. Some players settle for solidity. Others are capable of occasional rousing performances. By combining brilliance and consistency, these men have set themselves apart. When an Australian captain has been in trouble he has been able to throw the ball to Warne or McGrath, or both. Gilchrist has regularly summoned irrepressible innings when the batting has faltered.

But these men have reached their mid-thirties, whereupon bones start to ache and minds take longer to reach their generally more sensible conclusions (the brain does not go haywire till the forties whereupon it makes up for lost time). Although McGrath is lean and therefore more likely than heftier colleagues to survive the ravages of time, and the Victorian merely trots to the crease, still they cannot last much longer. For his part, Gilchrist has a family to think about.

Accordingly Australia's batting, fielding and commitment will not suddenly fall away. Bowling will be the problem. Recognising the importance of bounce and swing in Test cricket, England set out to find and develop tall pacemen, a strategy pursued with a patience that has been rewarded.

Contrastingly the Australian attack has appeared pedestrian. Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz lacked the liveliness needed to take wickets. Nor are menacing fast bowlers knocking on the proverbial door. Warne has inspired more imitators than successors. The cupboard is almost empty.

Ricky Ponting and his men will not be easily brushed aside. Despite a poor start, Australia is favoured to retain the Ashes. Apart from anything else the true hostilities are still four weeks away, leaving plenty of time for Jason Gillespie to find his rhythm. By then Adam Gilchrist will have returned to his proper batting position and Shane Warne will be casting his spell. Neither has made a habit of finishing on the losing side.

Australia might win but the gap is closing. Partly because the champion could not forever maintain its pace, partly because the pack is pursuing with fresh intent, the leader could soon be overhauled. Nor is England the only team with its eyes upon the crown.

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