Australian Cricket: The age of fighting

 

No-one, absolutely, no-one can argue that Australia has been the most dominant team in the past decade.  The Good news, for everyone – including Australians, is that their time of domination is now over.  It is exciting to think as an Australian cricket fan that we are moving in to an era where close test matches, nail biting finishes and individual feats of absolute brilliance will once again turn test matches and win games.  However, right now, the Australian cricket team is ill-equipped to handle this style of combat.

 

The last time Australian cricket was in the same position it is now was roughly 15-20 years ago and in that team at that time were names such as David Boon, Merv Hughes, Craig McDermott, Steve and Mark Waugh.  The only thing that all of these players have in common is an incredible mental strength and gutsy determination to win at all costs.  Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying this team is lacking mental strength, far from it.  You don’t become the best team in the world without being mentally tough.  I’m saying they lack that steely, gutsy, determined aggression that players like Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Justin Langer made their trademark throughout their careers.

 

Every cricketer will remember the days of not talking to the opposition at the end of the game, no beers during a test match (although doubtful everyone followed this rule) and periods where to talk to the media was a criminal act amongst your team mates.  It is this attitude that the Australian team needs to readopt.

 

Why? Because, that attitude is the attitude of the underdog, the pit bull that won’t take no for answer.  It is the attitude of a group of individuals who no longer have the power to intimidate on name or skill alone but still have the skill to be a world power. 

 

The team needs to get back to their roots, tempered and focussed aggression, with a “whatever the cost” attitude.  It is this attitude that turned the Australian cricket team into world champions and it will be that attitude that will keep us at the top of cricket through a tough period.  Australians have forged their reputation on tough battles, an ability to never compromise and let us not forget the ability to always give an underdog a go – this is what Australia needs to do to get back to the top.

 

Related Articles:

-What does the next generation have in store for Australian Cricket?
- Issues in Cricket – An Australian View
- The cost of the professional era.

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