SabAustralia vulnerable before World Cup
February 19th 2007 08:29
With Australia’s sudden fall from grace in the past two weeks, the rest of the world can now genuinely feel optimistic about winning the World Cup. More alarming for the Aussies is the fact their bowlers have underachieved in the past few weeks against New Zealand and England.
Despite being ravaged by injury of late, their bowling attack is only missing Brett Lee and the handy bowling of Andrew Symonds. Nathan Bracken had a brilliant 2006 with the white ball, but the New Zealanders have targeted him and he is succumbing to the pressure. Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait are talented but erratic and can’t be relied on in big moments. Tait in particular is mightily quick, however is far too expensive. He may have a one-off explosion where he destroys an opposition to take 4-20 but realistically e is more likely to consistently finish with the unflattering 0-65 by his name.
Shane Watson has been touted as this country’s best all-rounder in decades yet injuries has curtailed his career. Watson is promising but is unbelievably over-rated. Comparisons have been made to Andrew Flintoff, but Watson isn’t even a shadow to the great Freddie. I don’t like Watson’s prospects in Test Cricket but he is handy in one-dayers, averaging 29 with the bat and 33 with ball. His performances in New Zealand have been disappointing and one wonders whether he can really perform at the high all-round level expected by the World Cup.
Another problem for Australia is the downward spiral that is continuing by the great Glenn McGrath. After a brilliant summer where he helped destroy England 5-0 in the Ashes, McGrath has struggled of late. He has been less expensive than the others but doesn’t look a threat anymore. No longer do the opposition feel threatened by Australia’s leading one-day wicket taker. Batsmen still respect him, but alarmingly there is a lack of aura about the great man. Perhaps he should have totally ended his glittering career in the 5th Test in Sydney, however one last World Cup glory was too much to resist. I believe McGrath will continue to struggle and age, but his experience is too important. McGrath is still a big match player and in the Semi-Final of Final, when the pressure is on, you still want the ball in McGrath’s hand.
Australia is also struggling in their spin options. Symonds injury robs flexibility in the attack, and crucial handy overs in the middle stages. Cameron White would have made the trip to the Windies if his spin bowling would stand up. Unfortunately it doesn’t. Brad Hogg is the Aussies best bet and he has been a good performer, proving particularly difficult to pick. However on those small grounds in the Caribbean, I suspect he may struggle.
Australia’s batting looks more assured, with the return of Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting. Symonds is a crucial blow because he is the kind of player that can destroy an opposition and the boundaries will be too small to stop him. Despite there being optimism of an early return, I can’t see him playing or making any significant impact.
Matthew Hayden is a worry at the top, but the selectors have seemed to pencil him to start for the Cup. An option is to get Watson back to open, but Hayden’s experience seems to have given him an edge.
Australia have seemed to lost their aura of invincibility that has been with them in one-day Cricket since they won the World Cup in 1999, after two dramatic near-death losses to South Africa.
Australia now are vulnerable and it will be interesting how things unfold. I would still bet on Australia winning their fourth Cup, completing a hat-trick of wins. However I wouldn’t bet my house on it.
Despite being ravaged by injury of late, their bowling attack is only missing Brett Lee and the handy bowling of Andrew Symonds. Nathan Bracken had a brilliant 2006 with the white ball, but the New Zealanders have targeted him and he is succumbing to the pressure. Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait are talented but erratic and can’t be relied on in big moments. Tait in particular is mightily quick, however is far too expensive. He may have a one-off explosion where he destroys an opposition to take 4-20 but realistically e is more likely to consistently finish with the unflattering 0-65 by his name.
Shane Watson has been touted as this country’s best all-rounder in decades yet injuries has curtailed his career. Watson is promising but is unbelievably over-rated. Comparisons have been made to Andrew Flintoff, but Watson isn’t even a shadow to the great Freddie. I don’t like Watson’s prospects in Test Cricket but he is handy in one-dayers, averaging 29 with the bat and 33 with ball. His performances in New Zealand have been disappointing and one wonders whether he can really perform at the high all-round level expected by the World Cup.
Another problem for Australia is the downward spiral that is continuing by the great Glenn McGrath. After a brilliant summer where he helped destroy England 5-0 in the Ashes, McGrath has struggled of late. He has been less expensive than the others but doesn’t look a threat anymore. No longer do the opposition feel threatened by Australia’s leading one-day wicket taker. Batsmen still respect him, but alarmingly there is a lack of aura about the great man. Perhaps he should have totally ended his glittering career in the 5th Test in Sydney, however one last World Cup glory was too much to resist. I believe McGrath will continue to struggle and age, but his experience is too important. McGrath is still a big match player and in the Semi-Final of Final, when the pressure is on, you still want the ball in McGrath’s hand.
Australia is also struggling in their spin options. Symonds injury robs flexibility in the attack, and crucial handy overs in the middle stages. Cameron White would have made the trip to the Windies if his spin bowling would stand up. Unfortunately it doesn’t. Brad Hogg is the Aussies best bet and he has been a good performer, proving particularly difficult to pick. However on those small grounds in the Caribbean, I suspect he may struggle.
(More success?)
Australia’s batting looks more assured, with the return of Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting. Symonds is a crucial blow because he is the kind of player that can destroy an opposition and the boundaries will be too small to stop him. Despite there being optimism of an early return, I can’t see him playing or making any significant impact.
Matthew Hayden is a worry at the top, but the selectors have seemed to pencil him to start for the Cup. An option is to get Watson back to open, but Hayden’s experience seems to have given him an edge.
Australia have seemed to lost their aura of invincibility that has been with them in one-day Cricket since they won the World Cup in 1999, after two dramatic near-death losses to South Africa.
Australia now are vulnerable and it will be interesting how things unfold. I would still bet on Australia winning their fourth Cup, completing a hat-trick of wins. However I wouldn’t bet my house on it.
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