Commentators made a mention yesterday of how Hayden, Ponting and Hussey are the 'real' Australian batting line-up.They were big'ged up until the scorecard read 3/23.
Do you think Australia still hold the world domination in cricket? They do have some of the best players. However, what about them as a team?
I've been thinking about it after Tony "Hype" Greig was praising the Aussies to heaven
I'm of the opinion that if u as a team have some guys (batting or bowling or better both) who can just tire down the nerves of the likes of Ponting + Clarke and keep Lee at bay on Fast bouncy pitches they r no better than other top 5-6 Test nations and i include Pakistan in.
Reason:
Ponting is often found wanting when it comes to inspire the team with inventive methods/field placing since Warne+McGrath+Gilchrist have retired
They surely miss Ware+McGrath but most importantly they miss Gilchrist and Langer at times. Gilchrist more often than not put up his hand and took them out of the hole and that too in a destructive fashion. It was not only coming back into the game but also doing it in way to frighten the opposition when u thought u have them (Top 4 or 5 out)by the neck but actually lost in the end quite comfortably. In those Times no one spoke about Pontings captaincy but rather about McGrath, Warne or Gilchrists contributions and then enter Hussey.
So Ponting never had to bother about how to get any opposition out Twice but rather how he'd bat once they r through. Now especially after the Indian Tour he finds himself in a totally new position and the good news for others is that is anything else than comfortable.
I'm waiting anxiously for the 17th Dec when SAF enters WACA. With Steyn and Morkel they've youth on their side + Raw Pace and Bounce. And Smith has a point to prove and to be honest he might never gets a better chance to beat Aussies at home than this time.