Boxing Day was a revelation for Cricket fans the world over - England, for their surprising resilience and Australia for their surprising submission. I am no English fan, however I jeered Australia during this fixture because and solely because of one man, one BAD loser, a cry-baby they call Ricky Ponting.
As of today, if there is any promise of Sachin's record being bettered, it has to be by one of two – Ponting or Kallis. If one were to go by stats, he is just about 3000-4000 runs away from Sachin in both versions. With age and fitness still on his side, Ponting has the edge. However, Ponting’s own form in recent times has been anything but the best.
Anyway, what really worries me as a fan of the game is this decline in the might of Australia. So much has been said and written about how this once mighty monolith never recovered from the absence of the great triumvirate – Warne, Gilchrist and McGrath. It was bound to happen someday. A friend argues that they are in the ‘restructuring’ phase and a bad run is but inevitable for a while. Fair, what after that? Talent like the aforesaid trio is too far and few in between. Sydney Herald reads an article on how AFL is taking a toll of the game. Ticket sales for the Ashes, I believe, were on an all-time low this time. Administration had to work hard on promotions through SMM networks like Twitter and Facebook. Are we in for a reprise of the blow dealt to the colossal WI side? No God, that’s not good for Cricket Australia and definitely not good for Cricket.
Michael Clarke fills in for Ponting in the last test. Clarke has also been an under-performer in recent times. That he was being mentored to don the baggy is not a secret. But the mentoring has been on for quite some time now. And yet, he doesn’t look ready yet to lead the most powerful side in the world. Exactly why it took so long for CA to harness and groom talent is beyond me. Restructuring, to me, should never stop; it needs to be an ongoing process. After all, cleaning up while in shape is much better than dialysis.
I sincerely hope CA is able to resurrect the side. Of course I understand that it is too much to expect to fit into big shoes. But the process has to start. Grooming may be happening but that is not good enough. The proof of pudding is best realized when put to test. The approach of debuts in late 20s and early 30s is too Victorian and definitely not healthy for the game. To ward off threats from AFL and other sporting fraternities, it is in the best interest of CA to infuse more and more awareness.
MSD: You are not exempt from this situation either. The Great Indian Trinity is also in its mid-30s and to expect them to last forever is stupidity. Today, VVS relishes on Innings II and rescues India from sticky situations. But soon, he’s got his own, personal Innings II to play too. Sachin is invincible and near-perfect but after all, a mortal. Dravid, who hitherto has been the China Wall, has begun to show signs of scuff. We can pride on our successes only so long as we have bench strength.
CA, please get back in shape for Australia, for Cricket and for its fans.
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