The last day of this year’s Ashes series didn’t even amount to two hours of play, but it sure did sum up the series. Australia bowled well; England crumbled. Didn’t run except when Andrew Symonds was holding the ball ready to run them out. Then Langer and Hayden got the handful of runs necessary for the 5-0 sweep. It took five overs longer than I thought it would on account of Harmison finally decided to bowl some scorchers. But then it was done.
And for years I will have fun telling folks that I was there to see Langer, McGrath and Warne say goodbye to cricket. The way I’ve already been able to skite about being there to watch Steve Waugh get his in-your-eyes-selectors century off the last ball of the third day back in 2003.
Five-nil. Only the second time in the history of the more than century-old contest. Oops.
I don’t see England recovering any time soon. But it would be nice if they did. I’ve said it many times before but we need at least five strong test sides: Australia, England, India, South Africa, and the West Indies. And I would love for it to be eight with New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. But right now not one of them is even close to being able to beat Australia.
Maybe the next ten years will show improvements all over. That would be lovely. I’m hopeful that enough Australian talent has been poached to help build up sides all over the world. Yep, that’s right cricket is now our Imperial export. In your eye, Douglas Jardine.
Maybe the next Warne will be from Kenya or Zimbabwe and they’ll have support from the rest of the team and from their bureaucrats and they’ll reshape the face of cricket, not just in their country, but throughout the world. Why not, eh?
(Just as long as Australia stays strong!)
Hearing the English team talk is quite depressing. They repeatedly use phrases like “we’re a young team” and “failed in key moments” and “Australia played well” all of which are true, but won’t change anything. Not convinced the ECB review will help either.
There was talk on the news this morning about trying to use Warne as a coach/consultant seeing as he’ll be playing for Hampshire for two more years. Seems a shame that they don’t think to ask our own ex-players for help, like Boycott or Botham.
I am a little bit suspicious about using big name cricketers as coaches et al. Especially those who’ve never proven themselves as teachers. Most of the really successful coaches weren’t huge names during their own careers. Troy Cooley’s a good example. Why on Earth did you lot let him go?
We have no idea if Botham, Boycott or Warne would be any good. I have huge doubts about Botham given his record as a captain. And Boycott is not exactly possessed of a wide range of people skills . . . I don’t see Warne becoming a coach he’s got a seat waiting for him at channel nine.
Well, yes point taken. I wasn’t really thinking about their man management skills. But surely any opinions of ex-players could provide *something* useful? There are ex-Aussie players helping the team aren’t there?
As for Cooley? Yes, what were the ECB thinking? (Probably nothing) They should have offered him more money and an MBE.
Oh well…
You people and your MBEs! I’m waiting for someone to get one for excellence in farting.
From over here it looks like one of the problems you have is a few too many opinions from the ex-players . . .