What has happened to Australia?

The Proteas' next series is three weeks away (in SRI: 5 ODIs, 3 T20Is). Even more prevalent though is the question: what has happened to Australia?

It is in disarray. The cricket team of course, not the country.

George Bailey (30) was run out for 4 against SRI in this ICC Champions Trophy. Image taken from: http://www.cricket.com.au/images/australian-men

When I was growing up I watched Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden fiercely dominate any bowling attack they played against. Now there is only Shane Watson and Michael Clarke.

When I was young I admired the sheer brilliance of Glenn McGrath, the tenacity of Brett Lee and the wit of Shane Warne. Now there is only Mitchell Starc and the tired Mitchell Johnson.

What has happened?

Can you just blame poor succession planning?

Was it perhaps just a coincidence that the next generation of Australian cricketers could not live up to the past one? Was it is just life, just something that happens, that the Australian cricket team has lost quality over time?

I am sure they have not always been good. I think every country has its good periods and bad ones.

But the fact that Australia is going through one of its least successful periods now, that it has just sacked their coach Mickey Arthur and replaced him with Darren Lehmann and that it is facing discipline issues leaves me wondering if something is causing the country's cricket to deteriorate.

Don't get me wrong, Australia is still decent. But compared to how they used to be...

If there is something hurting Australian cricket it may go deeper than the players. Officials, bureaucracy, politics, the food they eat, I don't know. Something.

For the champions to get knocked out in the group stage, and not only that but be last in the group and leave with only one point in three games thanks to a no-result against NZ, something must have gone wrong.

Michael Hussey retired from international cricket last December, the last great Australian batsman I think, apart from Michael Clarke, at least as far as I can tell for a while.

As a rule in South Africa, that we can't support Australia and should even despise them, I grew up anti-Ausie. However it was a love-dislike relationship. I loved to dislike Australia. Things have changed now for two reasons: as a journalist I try to play down my personal preferences in everything and I just feel sorry for Australia. They were our arch-nemesis. A bit like Vageta was to Goku, so Australia was to us. The 'villain' was stronger than the 'hero' for ages until the villain joined the good guys. Then he became undoubtedly weaker than the 'hero'.

Why can't Australia get better again?

Mickey Arthur rightfully disciplines 4 Ausie cricketers

Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja were all suspended for one test match by Australian coach Mickey Arthur following their failure to do homework set out for them, and a history of "attitude" and "back-chat". Shane Watson returned to Australia to be with his pregnant wife and consider his future in the game.

During a break between the second and third test match between Australia and India, Arthur gave the AUS team the task of brainstorming how each player could improve their own game, and that of the team. They had a few days to do this. The above four players returned empty handed and received the axe. Captain Michael Clarke backed Arthur's decision saying the failure of the players was "unacceptable".

I think that Arthur did the right thing to make the team do this 'homework'. He said that working on their game was part of improving, otherwise they would stay number 3 or 4 in the world. The fact that some players did not show Arthur, and the team, the respect by doing it is not right. When I hear that there is a history of bad attitude that makes it even worse.

Arthur has been criticized by some for his decision. Others have criticized the players. For me it is simple: Success is achieved through hard work and sacrifice. Any student can tell you that. If the majority of the team and it's management want success they will work hard. If a few individuals refuse to adhere to the consensus, maybe they should find another team where they don't have to work.

Achieving greatness also means being humble and obeying your leaders. Jesus said that "...Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave" (Matt 20:26-27). What do you think about this issue?

Mickey Arthur (44) coached South Africa from 2005-2010. Picture taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk.

You can read the story here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/australia/9927135/Australia-coach-Mickey-Arthur-reveals-suspending-four-players-was-for-culmination-of-lots-of-small-minor-indiscretions.html 

Glenn McGrath in hall of fame

Glenn McGrath was recently inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. Here's the story: http://www.icc-cricket.com/newsdetails.php?newsId=22500_1357282143

Growing up I watched Glenn McGrath bowl. He was incredible. He helped Australia win many tests and ODIs. At the time I believed Shaun Pollock was the only pace bowler of the same calibre in the world. McGrath was always a bit better though. I loved watching him bowl. At the time he was the best pace bowler in the world, and has been the best since.

A legendary bowler. Glenn McGrath, now 42 years old. Picture taken from http://www.skysports.com

Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn and Mohammad Asif are and were all brilliant. But Glenn McGrath was the best. McGrath was accurate, deceived the batsmen, and moved the bowl a lot. The best thing about McGrath though was his confidence. He always backed himself to get the batsman out. He was extremely economical and at the same time took tons of wickets.

He was the leading wicket taker of the 2007 world cup, which Australia won. Picture taken from http://ewr3e.blogspot.com

With his late wife Jane, Glenn co-founded the McGrath Foundation to support Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer and their families through the provision of McGrath Breast Care Nurses. He is now Chairman of the foundation. The foundation's website: http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/ Picture taken from http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au

According to ESPN cricinfo:

His Bowling averages

	Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10
Tests	124	243	29248	12186	563	8/24	10/27	21.64	2.49	51.9	28	29	3
ODIs	250	248	12970	8391	381	7/15	7/15	22.02	3.88	34.0	9	7	0
T20Is	2	2	48	79	5	3/31	3/31	15.80	9.87	9.6	0	0	0
First-class	189		41759	17414	835	8/24		20.85	2.50	50.0		42	7
List A	305		15808	10004	463	7/15	7/15	21.60	3.79	34.1	15	7	0
Twenty20	19	19	432	492	20	4/29	4/29	24.60	6.83	21.6	1	0	0

His Batting and fielding averages (less important)

	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s	Ct	St
Tests	124	138	51	641	61	7.36	1570	40.82	0	1	51	1	38	0
ODIs	250	68	38	115	11	3.83	236	48.72	0	0	7	0	37	0
T20Is	2	1	0	5	5	5.00	12	41.66	0	0	0	0	1	0
First-class	189	193	67	977	61	7.75			0	2			54	0
List A	305	80	43	124	11	3.35	270	45.92	0	0			48	0
Twenty20	19	5	2	9	5	3.00	18	50.00	0	0	1	0	5	0

Ponting retiring

What can you say about the retirement of Ricky Ponting. Ex-Australian captain in Tests and ODIs and legend with the bat and in the field. He who once led one of the best cricket teams in history.

There is not much to say. He was brilliant as a captain, a batsman and a fielder. He led Australia to numerous wins as the best team in tests and ODIs for many years. He captained Australia in their 2003 and 2007 world cup victories. He was Australia's most successful captain, being the skipper in 48 victorious test and 164 one-day matches.

For me Ponting, Kallis and Tendulkar make up the Big Three in our age of cricket batsmen. In terms of lengthy and successful batting careers, they are the best. Of course Ponting had to retire one day, but it is still strange to think about what Australian cricket would be like without him.

I take my hat off to him. He served Australian cricket for so long and with such vigour. Well done Ricky Ponting. I hope he, his wife and two daughters can benefit from the time he has available after finishing with Tasmania in a few months.

Ricky Ponting (37 years old). Picture taken from http://www.bolegaindia.com

Was he Australia's greatest ever cricketer? What do you think?