I took this photo in January 2008,
Australia vs India at the SCG, Day 2.
An Aussie punter mocking the Indian fans to his left.
Frustrated at Australia's toothless attack,
VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar piling on the runs,
On their way to a century each.
"Since the retirements of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist,
Australian cricket hasn't been the same."
How many times have you heard that one?
But why has Australian cricket changed so radically?
Stuart Clark, Simon Katich and Brad Haddin are of international standard
And only the Shane Warne-shaped hole in the spin-bowling ranks has proved impossible to fill.
I think we've got to look at the players that Warne, McGrath, Langer and Gilchrist grew up playing with and learning from.
Allan Border, Geoff Marsh, Terry Alderman, Steve Waugh, Ian Healy -
All gritty, capable cricketers who knew how to earn their victories.
If they sledged, it was to get themselves going,
To get themselves focused.
They knew the game was to be won in their strength of will, determination and hardwork,
They knew it had to come from them.
This week, Shane Watson has spoken about sledging or "gamesmanship" as if it were a weapon:
"As a group we don't want to lose the edge".
But really, does sledging give a team an edge?
Not if you can't back it up with actions!
Much of the current team have grown up expecting their opponents to roll over and surrender,
As if a bit of sledging and a wave of the wand was all was required.
As the yob in the photo suggests,
Aussie fans have grown accustomed to this too
And cannot help but get frustrated at the opposition now that it's no longer like that.
The Indian fans were too busy enjoying the show,
Blowing their whistles,
Making posters.
Only one took heed of the Aussie's existence,
Telling him to look at the scoreboard!
I know how hated he is here,
And in no way am I a fan of Peter Roebuck's but
Let's just take a look at Harbhajan Singh for a second.
He was under the scrutiny of every member of every crowd he played before,
He knew everyone hated him.
He could've become preoccupied with public opinion and
Obsessed by a "Well I'll show them!" agenda
And failed in a distracted state.
Instead he knuckled down, played well and proved to be a real thorn in his opposition's side -
Not least by his lower order batting.
Now let's look at his accusers, Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds.
How did they cope when they were publicly doubted?
They couldn't focus on themselves,
They caved under the pressure.
Where are they now?
The Australian team is filled with talent but they've forgotten how Australia ever got to the top.
We need to play with minds of steel:
One-tracked, passionate, committed and willing to work hard for the team.
We cannot expect things to come easily,
We cannot expect England to fold.
Sledging will not win you the Ashes, Watson, you fool!
Here's one from one of your fans:
Watson???Posted by: rom, Melbourne, on 24/07/2009 2:42:12 PM
Shane Watson thinks we need too sledge to win. This coming from the biggest p***y in the game, who doesn't even deserve his spot in the team. We all know he is the selectors lovechild and his stupid comments make the current aussie team look like a bunch of amateurs who cant win without trash talking. The selectors need to pull their head and pick a team on form not potential.
Sources:
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=840865
http://cricinfo.com
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