Are the Aussies flattering to deceive?
Nathan Lyon (L) and David Warner of Australia celebrate victory in the Third Test match between Australia and India.
Australia’s odds of winning the Test series against India 4-0 have shortened considerably since the start of the season. After the thumping in Perth and the loss of captain and ’keeper MS Dhoni for the next Test the tourists are on a hiding to nothing at Adelaide Oval, as indicated by Australia’s short odds to win the series finale.
But before people get carried away that Australian cricket is back, it’s worth considering just how lightweight an opposition India has been. Their brutal defeat at the hands of England should have been the barometer for just how poorly the Indians travel and shouldn’t get punters ahead of themselves that the Australians are approaching the model of ten years ago.
On the plus side has been the emergence of some new Aussie bowlers, with a confident young array of quicks ready to perform when called up. David Warner’s belligerence has been welcome, Ed Cowan’s temperance a nice foil and there’s been a good cross-section of contributors.
However there are some notable cracks. You have to wonder whether Australia might not have been better off getting their own ’keeper suspended to force selectors’ hands. He’s everyone’s favourite kicking horse at the moment, but with an average of 11 in three Tests and some major blights behind the stumps Brad Haddin needs to go.
Shaun Marsh has been a failure at No.3, there are still some question marks about how much longer Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey will last and, after a promising start, offspinner Nathan Lyon has come back to the field.
What are your thoughts on the Australian team? Are they as good as this series suggests or have they simply flattered to deceive against one of the worst performing touring teams in recent memory? Has this lot got what it takes to win the Ashes in England next year?
As former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff tweeted while watching the third Test: “Neither would put you off your breakfast”.
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Krezja is still the best spinner. he is attacking and actually turns the ball.bowling looks ok if our best ones are fit but lets hope johnson never gets back in. hussey. ponting. marsh. all need to go. please dont pick ‘team’ suck ups. macgill and katich were not picked enough and dropped to early because they werent withe ‘the boys’
Franky – Kidding aren’t you mate. Most of the time McGll wasn’t there as 1)because a bloke called Warne was 2) Because he bowled at least one trash ball an over
Would have agreed about Krezja two years ago but he’s too lazy to work on his game, strugging to be picked for Tassie and not getting wickets when he is picked.
Marsh would be gone if Watson was fit but deserves another chance if he’s not
Ponting and Hussey have both got runs this series and can’t both be dropped from a side that’s a ittle short on experience at the same time.