Well after a thumping win over the English in the one day series, Australia have met a formidable and familiar opponent in their Indian counterparts. The Indian team put Australia to the sword in true fighting style on a nice turning pitch, led by spin masters Harbhajan Singh and Piyush Chawla. Australia's ability to handle the savage Indian spin attack could be a sign of things to come in the forthcoming world cup.
Aside from the ability of our batsmen to handle the spin attack from the Indian team, their demeanour brought back memories of when Harbhajan and Andrew Symmonds had their all familiar run in. It seemed that the Aussies had their feathers ruffled in more ways than one and it seems that India is now able to get under the skins of our new ultra sensitive Cricket team. Our cricketers all of a sudden seem to have a chink in their armour and the Indian side is learning to exploiting it.
It is no secret that the Australian team have become masters of sledging over the years. We have prided ourselves on how we have been able to destroy the concentration of batsmen and bowlers by a few sly remarks. But now the tables have turned the real question is have we lost our fighting spirit? Do Australia now resort to tantrums when things don't go their way? and how will this impact on the next batch of up and coming stars? In the past nothing brought fear into a batmen like the piercing stare of a Denis Lilly or Merv Hughes. Now it seems we are intimidated by the very opponents we used to strike fear into.
It seems now that every time the Australian cricket team challenges decisions or makes an over the top celebration they are balancing on the fine line of good sportsmanship. Maybe over the years we have had it too good and other countries are simply improving their game. Either way no one likes to see our mighty side getting beaten, especially when it comes to the Ashes.
Tell us what you think is sport in Australia becoming too precious? and are our players tough enough to compete in today's sporting environment?
Sport in general is becoming too precious. Infact, the entire world is becoming more precious. More laws, more rules, more nannies.
ReplyDeleteOur sports stars are paid more than our defence force. Now think, what if that was the other way around? We'd have sissyboys running around the battlefield and crying when they got dirty.
But that's practically what we have in sport right now. They earn too much, and realistically, the only reason they're playing is for the money. Well, that's what I think.
There's very few who play for the win anymore.
It's a sad state of play.
On my trips to India I am amazed at the influence cricket has in every aspect of everyday life... on a Sunday there are 1,000's of people, all ages, all social backgrounds playing cricket.
ReplyDeleteAustralia is the shining beacon and to beat Australia is the guiding light!!
When we learn to respect the Indian game and its players and count beating them as equal or better than dishing it up to the Poms, then we will win in India.
Until then, our "softy" guys like Clarke and co will continue to flounder!!
Much as I hate to admit it... Shane Warne at least had some b@##$
It will be a long World Cup - will we watch us getting put to the sword... I dont think so!