How much did the very public and widespread questioning of the all conquering Aussie team's approach and behavior undermine their cricket? It was visible in Ponting's between test media work - he was clearly taken aback with the fuss surrounding the Sydney test - perhaps surprised that he and his team were not the universally loved champions they assumed. Why didn't he open the bowling with the supposed tearaway Tait - an early wicket might have set the tone for the whole game. Why did he choose to ask Brett Lee to bowl from the end he did - where he would not gain the advantage of support from the wind. Where was his 'best since Bradman' batting?
At the end of the game there are some clear team weaknesses - Rodgers didnt really get a chance but Clarke - despite another second innings success - Johnson and Tait are the most obvious problems. Ponting's captaincy can be challenged but not by the new Dirk Welham (Michael Clarke). Ponting is out of form. In terms of the approach to the game there was a definite improvement from Sydney - but has the team learnt or is it just hiding its approach after being hurt by the public reaction? Listening to "Haydos" and "Alfie" on Friday on Channel Nine's coverage suggests the latter.
Under John Howard anyone who questioned Australia's approach was pilloried. A similar reaction greeted Peter Roebuck.
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Coach,
some very salient observations - as you might expect from one occupying the second most important position in Australian leadership. A small aside - we need a new taxonomy for positions of responsibility in this country. PM should be renamed "head coach". High Court judges - "umpires". The electorate - "those drunken yobs".
Anyway, I read with interest your observations about our team. Didn't hear what "Alfie" or "Haydos" said, but suspect you are on the money.
It was very interesting to see how this story unfolded in the media. Roebers certainly copped some stick and I feel a bit sorry for him because he actually gives a shit about the game AND Australia. Perhaps he went slightly over the top in his demands for the sacking of Ponting and Gilchrist, but I'd wager that overall his writing stems fron a genuine love of the game. Unlike a number of the journos and media outlets that responded to his column.
Mind you, he's probably got a hide the thickness of one of those wetsuits you need to surf those winter swells at Shipstern's Bluff.
For a long time Roebuck has been forthcoming in praise for the Australian team - indeed, Australia generally - but he has always had reservations about our conduct at times on the field and continaully observed that they perhaps are not the most loved of teams. Obviously no one within the inner sanctum agreed or has bothered to read these observations. This has been a long time coming and predictably, the reaction was one of disbelief.
But I don't believe those blokes in our team are particularly obnoxious folks - apart from Warnie. There's some weird scientology type cult going on in the team, complete with a subtle indictrination process for any hoping to join the fold...and Howard is to blame for all of it!
As far as I'm concerned,anything sinsiter occurring in Australia is his fault.
Lastly, it is sad to hear of Adam Gilchrist's retirement. Will we see someone turn a match like him again?
The team performance towards the end of the Indian innings was interesting. Clarke dropped a return catch and the commentator said he didnt want to use the word "lazy". Hussey dropped one and Haydos (I'll show them who's boss) had earlier dropped one. The Indian tactic of continuing to bat upset the Channel Nine cheer squad but it made the Aussies look all the more ordinary.
Yes it will be sad to see Gilchrist go - I think my favorite innings was his then fastest double century in test cricket against South Africa one February a few years back. I was participating in the Cancer Council relay for Life at the time with Hollywood O'Byrne and we marveled at the power. I could hardly walk for the next week.
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