Australia down and under

After a decade and a half of domination, the Australian cricket team has finally been brought down to earth. South Africa has defeated them in both the Test and ODI series, and exposed a number of weaknesses in the Australian side.

Australia lost as many home test matches (3) in 2008, as they did over the previous 10 years. Add to that, they failed to win the last 2 versions of the tri-series, and have now slumped to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of South Africa. They have lost their#1 spot in ODIs, and hold on to their test ranking, but for how long?

Some might say it’s their karma! They started 2008 with the infamous ‘win’ against India at Sydney… we all know how. And it went downhill from there. The only exception was the win against West Indies.

The gaps are obvious. Problems start right at the top. Langer retired after the Ashes, and now Hayden has given in to the constant pressure. Suddenly Ponting and co. in the middle order have to face the new ball more often, and the fall in their averages is obvious. A cricketer of the ability of Adam Gilchrist comes once in a lifetime. Brad Haddin is trying his best, but expecting him to repeat Gilly’s heroics would be silly.

In the bowling department, Warne, McGrath and Gillespie have gone. Brett Lee could bully batsmen and build his persona while the senior guys were around. But once they went, he had to take up the leadership role, and has failed miserably. The most over-hyped cricketer has fallen apart and Australia has among the weakest bowling attacks in world cricket today.

To sum it up, Australia is no more an extraordinary international cricket team. They will lose in South Africa, and if England sort out their off-filed issues and keep their heads in place, Australia will lose the Ashes as well.