Is this the end of #1 status for Australia?

[just4kix]

Australia were beaten at a ground where they are deemed as invincible, viz. WACA, Perth. Well India did beat them there recently but while that victory was lauded, it was put off as one-off aeration. Now SA have not only done that again at the same ground but in doing so chased a massive 414 runs, that happens to be the second highest run chase.

The media is talking about the end of the dominance by Australia. Ian Chappel says that both India and SA can take the numero uno position with India having a slight edge. But is it really the end for Australian dominance?

Some facts in favour of the theory:

• Most Australian players are 30+. Players such as Hayden, Ponting, Symonds, Hussey, Lee, Stuart Clark, etc. are over the 30+ mark and likely to retire soon.
• Australia have been unable to replace Warne, McGrath and Gilchrist and it looks unlikely that others could be replaced soon with equal calibre players.
• An analysis was done some time ago about the number of debuts in test team by country. Australia had the lowest number. The report detailed how this showed the strength and invincibility of the team. Paradoxically, this is now turning to be their biggest problem.
• The Australian Domestic Cricket season claims to be the best in the world. Their academies also boast the same. But the two Michael's, Clarke and Johnson, appear to be only finds in the last couple of years.
• The bowling department appears to be blunt. Stuart Clark used to be unplayable when supported by McGrath and Lee but now he is just an accurate bowler. Lee is struggling to find form. In the recent test against India, when Jason Kreiza took 8 wickets in an innings on debut, people said that he could do so because all others were incapable of the same. Johnson is still having some sharp claws.
• Success rubs off each other. Ponting rarely had to face a ball before the 20th over by which time the Australia scorecard read 80-1 or like that. Now he is taking guard in the 3rd or 4th over. Failure of the top order is a problem.
• The middle order still looks strong on paper with Hussey, Clarke and Symonds (and Watson on bench) but invariably one of the three fails.

The arguments against:

• The classic saying or cliche goes like - "Form is temporary, class is permanent".
• Yes, Australia is one class bowler short. They are sure to find him in the system soon and they will bounce back.
• So what if major players are above 30. They still have at least 2 years by which time they will come up with new faces. Remember that players like Shaun Marsh are just waiting.
• Parallels with WI are unworthy. Young WI people turned their backs away from cricket as cricket was not paying enough. The result was that, when the greats retired there were no one to fill the shoes. This is not the case with Australia.
• The two challengers, viz., India and SA, will also have retirements. Their current show is an one-off purple patch. It is not as if that they have dramatically improved - it is just that Australia is going the south bend.
• SA has a problem by their quota system and this may be their downfall. Justin Kemp left to play for ICL because he was not sure of finding a place in the team.
• For India, Sachin and Rahul will definitely retire in one or two years. These are too great and class apart. They will be almost impossible to replace.

So guys what do you think?

Haven't had comments. Does it mean Australia is doomed or it is a temporary glitch?

[just4kix]

Australia will most likely loose the second test at Melbourne and with it a home series for the first time since WI defeated them way back 15 years ago.

[itsmemad]

Aussies simply don't have a bowling attack to be no. 1... so thats the end of their reign...
I think its 50-50 between India & SA... With SA having slight adv. cuz of dale styn who is very good in Test matches...

Originally Posted by just4kix

[*]For India, Sachin and Rahul will definitely retire in one or two years.

Can some one bet on that

Yea unless they find some good bowlers , they are in for trouble...

I think Australian team is now in a transition state lots of aged cricketer is retiring now i think within a couple of year we will find a new Australian team but one think is sure they have to fight again for number 1st place because I feel they have already lost that place

[itsmemad]

Originally Posted by Manish

Can some one bet on that

I think Sachin will retire after next world cup...

Originally Posted by itsmemad

I think Sachin will retire after next world cup...

It must be. how long he can play ? in 2011 he will be 38 years.He is Playing almost 20 years for country and after the world cup he need a permanent rest from international cricket.His body is fatigue now.

[Rameshjeee]

Originally Posted by just4kix

Australia will most likely loose the second test at Melbourne and with it a home series for the first time since WI defeated them way back 15 years ago.

Australia last lost a home series against West Indies in 1992/93.

1st Test at Brisbane: Match Drawn
Australia 293 and 308; West Indies 371 and 133/8

2nd Test at MCG: Australia won by 139 runs
Australia 395 and 196; West Indies 233 and 219

3rd Test at SCG: Match drawn
Australia 503/9d and 117/0; West Indies 606

4th Test at Adelaide Oval: West Indies won by 1 run
West Indies 252 and 146; Australia 213 and 184

5th Test at WACA, Perth: West Indies won by an innings and 25 runs
Australia 119 and 178; West Indies 322

Courtesy: Cricinfo

[just4kix]

@Manish, I expect Rahul Dravid to hang up his boots (errr gloves) next year. Sachin wants to continue till 2011 WC and win it for India. Hope his wish comes true. As rupu said, he will be 38 at that time, well past his prime.

[Rameshjeee]

I want this guy, Cheteshwar Pujara to be in the Indian team in place of Dravid...
About Pujara, today he scored a matching wining ton to power Saurashtra into the semis of the Ranji Trophy. @ one stage Saurashtra were 13/3 ; chasing a target of 325.If I am not wrong this guy scored 2 triple tons within a space of a month....

Originally Posted by Rameshjeee

....If I am not wrong this guys scored 2 triple tons within a space of a month.

wow, we need more guys like them. But compared to other countries i feel there's no derth of talent in india , rather oly a lack of space in the team..

[just4kix]

Cheteshwar Pujara can become the next SRT of Indian cricket.

[navgemi]

What is haappening with the Aussies was expected.Any team can not continue to dominate the world stage all the time.

WI faced the same situationin late eighties.They had invincible team once upon a time.It was said that even a team from Jamaica could beat any test playing nation.Later on their star players got retired and that was end of an era.

Australia have started to enter into the same phase.

[itsmemad]

Good bowling attack is essential to be no. 1... Both invincible teams of WI & Australia had a lethal bowling attack!

btw, SA has beaten Australia 1st time in a series down under...
SA won the 2nd test by 9 wkts!

Originally Posted by itsmemad

btw, SA has beaten Australia 1st time in a series down under...
SA won the 2nd test by 9 wkts!

great!! I think they were chasing a tiny 183 runs target?

[itsmemad]

Originally Posted by just4kix

Cheteshwar Pujara can become the next SRT of Indian cricket.

I heard that hez more Rahul Dravid kinda player who has a sound defense and takes minimum risk to get runs...

Originally Posted by Manish

great!! I think they were chasing a tiny 183 runs target?

yeah.. Target was in 180s... cant recall exact... mayb 183 only...

[jokerbala]

yeah they have lost their crown,but they'll never go the windies way.
They will always be in the top 3 or 4 unless teams like eng/pak/srilanka improve their game.They will continue to dominate at home against every team except SA, they will lose abroad to every team other than west indies and new zealand.

btw, happy new year 2009 for y'all

s.a and india r in the hunt......
bt i feel fielding gives s.a edge over india

Definately S.A got the better players than India..but its alwayz good to look for next , who knows VVS LAXMAN might start taking a diving catches like rhodes