Having recently purchased my copy of the 2013/14 Ashes 5-0 victory on DVD, I can now relive the moments that saw our boys return the urn. I am now on another high as we have won the limited overs series, currently leading 3-0 with 2 matches remaining. It's been a splendid summer.
Some disturbing news has hit the cricket world, with a proposal from the super powers of cricket (in terms of the financial players) which may see a revamp of the ICC and the gradual destruction of competitive cricket of varied nature. The current model serving cricket is not the best solution, along with fixtures that do little to assist organisations to build demand and hype with supporters, but this recent one could dent the game beyond measure. I am very much about getting all the facts before having a thorough opinion, but here's a link to an article which should explain this recent burst of news.
Jarrod Kimber (Cricket with Balls) has summed up the issue by answering some FAQs. If I find the article, I will add it here.
Massive congrats to mighty Mitchell Johnson on winning the Allan Border Medal for 2014. Sensational achievement in such a short space of time. Well done champ!
Mitchell's Ashes stats:
Batting: 165 runs @ 27.50. HS 64, x1 50
Bowling: 37 wickets @ 13.97. BBI 7/40, BBM 9/103
Michael Clarke seemed set to win it for a record fifth time, but Mitchell's heroic summer earned him the prize. His efforts with ball in hand for all 5 Tests, as well as a defining Ashes innings with the bat in hand at the Gabba with Brad Haddin - who was breathtaking to watch - was enough for him to win the prize. Usually the player who wins the medal does so for all round excellence across formats, but Mitchell's efforts were vital in us winning back the Ashes, and Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game.
Michael Clarke (Test award), George Bailey (ODI award), Aaron Finch (T20 award), Meg Lanning (Women's award), Cam White (State Player award), and Jordan Silk (Young Bradman award) all walked away with recognition for their elite efforts for Australian Cricket.
Well done to them all, but cannot forget their team mates.
Now, the big news is the Test squad announced for the South African tour. With out further to do, below is the squad, fixtures, and some squad analysis.
Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Jackson Bird, Alex Doolan, James Faulkner, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, David Warner, Shane Watson.
Wed Feb 5 - Sat Feb 8
South African Invitation XI v Australians
Senwes Park, Potchefstroom
Wed Feb 12 - Sun Feb 16
1st Test - South Africa v Australia
SuperSport Park, Centurion
Thu Feb 20 - Mon Feb 24
2nd Test - South Africa v Australia
St George's Park, Port Elizabeth
Sat Mar 1 - Wed Mar 5
3rd Test - South Africa v Australia
Newlands, Cape Town
The only exclusion for our victorious Ashes side is that of George Bailey. I anticipated this and think it was a wise call by John Inverarity's selection panel.
Here's what I wrote about George, shortly before the Ashes was concluded: "George Bailey, possibly playing his last Test innings, evidently
enjoying himself just found the gaps, worked the ball away, lived on the
edge but survived to stumps. He has 20* runs and tomorrow could be a
memorable one for him if he just gives hit his best. He has little to
lose. He is in our ODI team as a regular member, has now been a member
of a winning Ashes campaign, and did manage a half-century in Adelaide."
A weakness outside of off stump was exposed by James Anderson, and this would have been far too easy for the South African pace attack to both target and further expose. The wickets in South Africa and Australia draw many similarities, so this weakness would have been a concern heading to their turf. He will always have the memory of being a member of a winning side, along with that record of 28 runs off one over against James Anderson (level with the record).
The head scratch comes with the inclusion of Shaun Marsh at Bailey's expense.
I have always viewed Shaun Marsh as a player of high class and a technique tailored to Test cricket. However, this selection was based on limited overs form and, once again, his potential which often doesn't reflect at the elite level. We saw what this did to George Bailey. Test players must be selected on the basis of the form for Test cricket, being the Sheffield Shield contest.
Shaun scored a Test century on debut against Sri Lanka in 2011, and has shown numerous moments of elite composure and ability but, like Mitchell Johnson, he is a confidence player and seems to be his own worst enemy. His Shield form has been poor to say the least and doesn't warrant selection.
He currently sits in position 34 for most runs scored this Shield campaign, with one century from 9 innings, averaging 31.
In contrast, Phillip Hughes was expected to make the tour based on his return to Shield cricket to score runs and earn his place. He currently has 549 runs at 61.00, and this includes his maiden double century of 204. Go figure and never mind this is a man who has somehow found a way to handle the South African attack time and time again.
Even Marcus North may have seemed a brighter option, while not long term he leads the Shield run scorers list. Don't forget this man scored a century against South Africa on debut at the Wanderers on the same tour where Hughesy scored back to back centuries at Kingsmead, Durban.
All in all, Marsh is the type of player that if he gets into his stride he can genuinely control any bowling attack, but his current form does not suggest this is a likely mindset he has right now. ODI form cannot justify this. Having written this, I know what he is capable of, most of us do and he is now in the side so we just have to hope that should he get a game (probably at number 3, moving Watson down to 6) he will put invaluable runs on the board for us to better our chances of winning this series.
Alex Doolan has been on the radar for some time. This is a long term look from the selectors and previous Shield seasons have showcased the man is a fine batsman. This campaign he has been well below his best but it hasn't affected the confidence in his skills from the selectors. At present he is the 17th highest run scorer in the campaign with 391 runs at 39.10.
These two players will have a chance to showcase against the South African Invitational, before the three match series gets underway.
Chris Rogers will partner David Warner at the top of the order. This is Davey's first Test tour to South Africa, while Chris Rogers has never even been to the country before so it is a first for him.
Michael Clarke was in the early stages of his sublime run of form when we last toured South Africa in 2011. I was at that weird match at Newland's where he scored 151 runs in our 1st innings, only to see us bowled out for 47 runs in the 2nd innings, as well as South Africa been bounced for 98 runs in their 1st innings. It was the best I'd seen Clarkey bat, but it was in vain. He changes Ashes fortune, time to do it again this time.
Steven Smith is on this tour to assist Clarkey in the middle order. Stevo came of age at the WACA and he's become a fine young cricketer, courtesy of the current selection panel giving him time away from international duty to define his role. Similar to Steve Waugh's story in some ways.
Our bowlers from the Ashes will all make the tour.
Mitchell Johnson may very well be the danger man for this tour, with Graeme Smith having the ambulance on standby, but Ryan Harris is the bowler I tip to be our key player tactically. His menacing swing and precision is perfect for South Africa conditions. He can best mirror Dale Steyn, so this series is definitely one where people will salivate come the contest of the fast bowlers. This is the contest that world cricket should care about!
Ryano also cast aside IPL duties to get his knee operation complete, which he's delayed so he can make this tour. Sacrifice at it's best. What a true champion.
Mitchell was so low on confidence on his last tour to South Africa, quite a contrast to his brutal tour there is 2009 where he took 16 wickets at 25.00, including the destruction of Graeme Smith's hand (round 2) and Jacques Kallis' jaw. In 2011 his run up was weak, and he was just not in it. Another reason to be so proud of his return to our side thinking back to those dark days.
Peter Siddle will be greeted by the chants of "Siddle is a wanker". The Newland's crowd in 2011 did substitute the word "wanker" with the word "anchor" in 2011 as they'd grown fond of Sids attitude. That is what Sids need to be though, the anchor of this bowling attack. He needs to play the anchor role, but no doubt the chants will return with the word "wanker" if he bowls well.
James Pattinson returns to the team. He looks very inspired at the moment and quite aggressive. The South African's don't like an aggressive Australian cricketer and there's a few of them in our team. JP is one of the main guns in this regard, so he will be eager to get out there. I hope he stirs with them.
I am also excited about Jackson Bird's inclusion. His Big Bash stint for the Stars has been brilliant, but what's most notable is his consistency come line and length, ability to bang in a short ball with a troublesome angle for the batsmen to stand up to, but best of all is he looks fit and ready to play. I think an attack of Johnson, Harris and Bird is very exciting.
Nathan Lyon remains the spinner of choice and rightly so. South Africa is the not the desired place for a spin bowler to perform, but it serves a purpose. Lyon is now a spin bowler rising to a higher quality of standard than when he first toured there with the 2011 squad. The South African attack is not one usually tipped to be the best against spin - with the exception of AB de Villiers. Lyon may have a decent role to play.
James Faulkner and Shane Watson stack up as our all-rounders and unless Watto is injured, James will likely be the drinks man for the 1st Test. Watto still needs to showcase better consistency to cement his spot for a while longer and we desperately need him to do so this tour. He was hit and miss in the Ashes, but we need the best of Watto this tour. It will make a massive impact on the series.
Brad Haddin gets the nod as keeper of choice. Two years ago I would not have imagined this to be the case, so that is just terrific for Hads that he still has so much to offer us. His ability to initiate rescue missions of late to our 1st innings inconsistencies was urn saving, but he can't do it all the time. In 2011 at Newland's he charged down the track when our team was in trouble. We were bowled out for 47 runs and it's a dismissal many of us just haven't been able to forget.
This is a firm reminder our batsmen need to find ways to believe in themselves to handle the 1st innings pressures in the top of the order. They can.
Other than that, it's now just a case of counting down the days. More build up analysis and opinions to follow. For now, enjoy the final two ODIs. I will be at the Australia Day ODI. Still quite surreal.
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blog!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
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Showing posts with label Allan Border Medal Awards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Allan Border Medal Awards. Show all posts
20 January 2014
17 June 2013
Opinion: Where do we go from here? Australia's leadership issue
As
Australia lost possession of the Champions Trophy and exited the tournament before
the semi-finals for the first time since 2000,
it also highlighted something worrying amidst some internal dramas dating back
to the Indian tour in March.
Michael Clarke was ruled out of the Champions Trophy campaign due to a degenerate back condition he has. He also missed the 2009 edition of this tournament and, for the first time in his career, missed a Test match. The match he missed was the final Test of the forgettable Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but something major was noticeable. The lack of leadership in the Australian camp is obvious.
Last night I watched a show on Fox Sports. It was an hour long feature with Clarke in an exclusive interview with Eddie McGuire, which also took an up close and personal look into a day in the life of Clarke prior to a big series. I have never doubted how hard an Australian sportsman works and have witnessed the Australian Cricket team train in the most challenging of circumstances. Lead by Ricky Ponting – although no longer the captain at the time - the players worked like dogs and systematically ensured each player was doing their part but there was a strong, pure sense of support.
On his own Clarke is highly motivated, positive and focused on his duties as a professional sportsman. He is a good captain and is the best man for the job with all the qualities needed. His application to the game can never be questioned and this feature on him made this apparent, especially with the steps he takes to ensure his body is strong and in the best possible shape. This is now more important than ever due to an injury he has kept at bay for the better part of his career, but now it’s becoming a challenge to overcome series in, series out.
Clarke has tried to be a leader on a mission to make his own legacy, stamp his own authority while also attempting to find a balance between his style and what he was exposed to when he was a member of the greatest Australian team of the modern era. It is proving to be even more difficult and this is becoming clear with the lack of leadership personalities coming through the current crop of players.
I have always written objectively and constructively where possible. I respect our players and have always avoided “trash talking” or being overly-critical, especially if it may be seen as a personal criticism of a player’s character. If you couldn’t say it to the person, don’t say it at all, or in this case write it. However, for this article I will be coming through perhaps as less reserved than previous years, always backing our team through thick and thin.
George Bailey’s attitude is refreshing. In Clarke’s absence he was seen as the best option. Michael Hussey and Ricky Ponting have departed, while Brad Haddin is now a Test specialist for what’s left of his career. The option is limited to Bailey who is now an experienced leader of the Tasmanian Tigers. He seems a happy-go-lucky chap, who has a smile or a grin on his face most of the time, but he also seems handicapped in his efforts with a side that has a long way to go to find a sense of unity on the playing field to establish a winning culture. His grin during the Champions Trophy seemed to be more of a mask to hide the embarrassment and possible frustration at the side’s lack of venom.
Despite criticism he has taken for not being a specialist limited over’s player,
it would seem his average and consistency begs to differ. Besides being the
best suited player to lead in Clarke’s absence, he’s also proving to be one of
the few batsmen to show consistency and aggression with the bat in hand. This
just adds proof that while he may not be the long term solution, he is at least
showing leadership credibility and maintaining his form.
I just mentioned Bailey isn’t a long term solution. Who will be the next guy then? It’s always the million dollar question and foresight is a difficult thing in the game of cricket.
Michael Clarke is, in my opinion, not going to be playing cricket for much longer.
Sure, he may be 32 years of age, but his back is flaring up more than ever and cricket schedules are not becoming easier to manage. He is the leader of the Test and ODI squad and a replacement to take the weight off his shoulders isn’t becoming a clear vision at this point.
Clarke has also made mention that he will most probably not play into his late thirties as most players have been able to do so, not just because of the three degenerative discs in his back, but also a change of opinion. He’s a married man, a family man, and has the entrepreneur drive in him, probably enhanced through his relationship with James Packer. He has a future beyond the game and this game carries enough pressures.
In an interview he gave last year, Clarke stated the following:
"Unfortunately degeneration, it can't improve, so it's about now managing my condition.
"I'd love to see this team have success, achieve everything it wants to achieve. And then I think that is time for me to give the reins to somebody else and go and start the other side of life I guess - get involved in some sort of business and have a family and do all the things that are special to me and I still want to do when my cricket career is over."
Perhaps a miracle performance from his Test squad may see back to back Ashes victories leave one final task – to win the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. In the exclusive interview with Eddie McGuire, at the end of the interview when asked what is left for Clarke he pointed these three objectives out. To me, that would indicate that come 2015 Clarke will be calling it a day. He will be 34 years of age.
By this stage we may have seen younger emerging players such as; Joe Burns, Nic Maddinson, Pat Cummins, Ashton Agar and Chadd Sayers become centered within their career progression and potential leadership abilities. Our current crop of players may have found success to find an unsourced sense of inspiration to become leaders in the Australian Cricket landscape. It is a big dream at the moment, but I’d like to believe Michael Clarke can do something to reel in a group of leaders, just as Shane Warne did so when he earmarked Clarke as something special for the game.
Leading up to Steve Waugh’s retirement, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne were all potential leaders to take over. Amongst them were strong minded individuals who could have also chiselled those characters into larger than life players. In fact, this is what happened. Besides being a group of unbelievable cricketers, they also had a bond on the field to tap into each other’s skills with deep insight and a surreal self-belief in any situation. It was a winning culture, groomed through leadership.
This year’s back-to-back Ashes series is quite possibly going to be one of the most important chapters for Australian Cricket looking ahead. A winning culture creates winning personalities, but to get there is another battle many sides just don’t achieve. Victory and self-belief is in the Australian sporting culture, so no excuses should be made up that these players don’t have it if this culture still exists.
This is an optimistic appeal, but in the present sense it’s a tunnel with little light. In my Ashes preview I maintained that we can most definitely win back the Ashes urn, and still do. My doubt however is regarding leadership.
David Warner was backed by Michael Clarke as a competitive bloke with definite leadership qualities. Unluckily, or possibly fortunately, Warner has cracked under pressure for a place in the Test side and a series of poor decision making dating back a few months now has put his leadership future under serious question. He could turn it around like Ricky Ponting did, but that’s speculation. In the present, he is not looking like a leader of the Australian team, especially with his inconsistent performances in all forms of the game at the elite level.
The problem with the Warner incident in England is that several players were alongside him, out at an early hour and in a situation with the opposition that leaders like Allan Border or Steve Waugh would have been nauseated by. Clarke strongly opposed the situation and when I read his opinion over the matter I felt for him. He’s leading a side in a challenging enough time for our team and now has to deal with players not only finding themselves in questionable circumstances but also not ticking the leadership and responsibility boxes next to their names – despite Clarke believing at the same time that Australian Cricket is in a fantastic place. It also just puts a dent into Clarke's efforts to be the best captain possible with players behaving this way in a professional setting.
Phillip Hughes is battling for consistency four years following his Test debut series in South Africa. Despite Clarke’s admiration for Hughes, I have had three encounters with Hughes that gave me the impression he is anything but a leader based on his public profile. Sometimes a player has a personality that screams “leadership” or there is a sixth sense that they could be the next leader. Hughes doesn’t have this and while it is my opinion, I feel strongly about this.
Ed Cowan is pushing his case with dedication to his game and he’s also taken the initiative to work hard in the County circuit to ensure he is ready for the Ashes to take guard against the new ball. This is something I respect and wish to see him flourish this series in the absence of Simon Katich. Cowan has definitely pushed his case to be a leader but he has come across as being a “teacher’s pet”, or as some may say in a cheekier way, a “brown noser”. His close relationship with his media mates gives him leverage and is a fairly smart tactic. Keep the journalists and media opinion makers close to you! Cowan isn’t the long term solution and even if he is to get an opportunity following consistent performances.
Shane Watson is at the same career stage with Clarke and has many more battles regarding his body. Having stepped down from the vice-captaincy role after the horrid Indian tour, it’s a closed door for Watson to lead Australia. His personal game requires so much attention and focus that this burden would be too much to handle.
Bowlers rarely get considered for captaincy roles. Daniel Vettori of New Zealand is a rare candidate in this regard and learnt from Stephen Fleming, one of the best of the modern game.
Peter Siddle has so much heart and passion for this game. It is a reason that makes him so hard to leave out of a starting XI. How good is his cricketing mind? I am not certain but I am not sure he’d be the captaincy material to do what Clarke does. Of all the bowlers he is the best pick.
Matthew Wade has been boosted by Clarke as a young man with a strong personality. Despite being the second keeper of choice for the Ashes, he understood the reasoning and has an objective now. He needs to become a better wicket-keeper and has the opportunity to hone in on his leadership qualities. Is he the best solution though and a realistic one to take over from Clarke? He’s had an inconsistent entrance into the elite level. Then again, who is being consistent?
George Bailey is the only player that comes to mind with regards to consistency. It is a worrying sign looking ahead. It is also a big reason why Chris Rogers was called into our Ashes squad.
Tim Paine was being groomed with leadership duties, having also lead Australia A. He still has a way to go with his return after a finger injury kept him out for the majority of last season.
Callum Ferguson struck me as a player who could have been groomed into a Michael Bevan/ Michael Hussey player of sorts with a capacity to become a senior in the side. He has become a bit of an outcast though for selection, much to my mixed feelings of disappointment and anger as a result.
Michael Klinger has lead South Australia, won the State Player of the Year award twice at the Allan Border Medal Awards, but never received the opportunity to represent Australia. His time is far gone despite doing a good job in the County circuit. Cameron White was even in the waiting seat with his leadership of Victoria, but sadly inconsistency has been an issue with him (a recurring theme of our current setup) and he’s far from top of the picking list regarding Sheffield Shield performances.
For a short while I thought Victorian batsman Michael Hill may have been a future prospect after leading the Australian u19 Squad a few years back. He has recently started to show class with Victoria. He’s got a bit of work to still do in order to get onto the radar with the selectors.
So, where do we go from here in terms of leadership?
Fortunately Michael Clarke should be ready for the Ashes. Not only is he a leader but he’s also our best batsman. He’s our most consistent performer in both Test and ODI cricket and has so many achievements to his name that come the day he walks away from the game he will be an accomplished cricket, having also been a member of the greatest Australian side.
Given this we are fortunate. We also have a good Ashes squad and the sooner the off-field dramas of recent months and the Champions Trophy exit get put behind us the better it will be for all in the Australian Cricket family.
However, the question of leadership is tough as leaders are generally naturally born but there’s always going to be grooming. Who is that natural born leader in our ranks that hasn’t been identified?
Welcome to The Baggy Green Blog!
Thanks for reading this article written by Ian.
To comment on this article, click on the 'Comments' tag at the end of the article.
TWITTER
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@Ianbaggygreen
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Michael Clarke was ruled out of the Champions Trophy campaign due to a degenerate back condition he has. He also missed the 2009 edition of this tournament and, for the first time in his career, missed a Test match. The match he missed was the final Test of the forgettable Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but something major was noticeable. The lack of leadership in the Australian camp is obvious.
- If you missed
the Ashes squad analysis article, you can read it via this link.
- Who is in the battle to open the batting for Australia in the Ashes? Read it now to find out!
- What conditions can be expected at the Ashes venues? Look into the analysis.
- Our 2013 Champions Trophy squad and the SWOT analysis? Catch up on it via this link.
- Who is in the battle to open the batting for Australia in the Ashes? Read it now to find out!
- What conditions can be expected at the Ashes venues? Look into the analysis.
- Our 2013 Champions Trophy squad and the SWOT analysis? Catch up on it via this link.
Last night I watched a show on Fox Sports. It was an hour long feature with Clarke in an exclusive interview with Eddie McGuire, which also took an up close and personal look into a day in the life of Clarke prior to a big series. I have never doubted how hard an Australian sportsman works and have witnessed the Australian Cricket team train in the most challenging of circumstances. Lead by Ricky Ponting – although no longer the captain at the time - the players worked like dogs and systematically ensured each player was doing their part but there was a strong, pure sense of support.
On his own Clarke is highly motivated, positive and focused on his duties as a professional sportsman. He is a good captain and is the best man for the job with all the qualities needed. His application to the game can never be questioned and this feature on him made this apparent, especially with the steps he takes to ensure his body is strong and in the best possible shape. This is now more important than ever due to an injury he has kept at bay for the better part of his career, but now it’s becoming a challenge to overcome series in, series out.
Clarke has tried to be a leader on a mission to make his own legacy, stamp his own authority while also attempting to find a balance between his style and what he was exposed to when he was a member of the greatest Australian team of the modern era. It is proving to be even more difficult and this is becoming clear with the lack of leadership personalities coming through the current crop of players.
I have always written objectively and constructively where possible. I respect our players and have always avoided “trash talking” or being overly-critical, especially if it may be seen as a personal criticism of a player’s character. If you couldn’t say it to the person, don’t say it at all, or in this case write it. However, for this article I will be coming through perhaps as less reserved than previous years, always backing our team through thick and thin.
George Bailey’s attitude is refreshing. In Clarke’s absence he was seen as the best option. Michael Hussey and Ricky Ponting have departed, while Brad Haddin is now a Test specialist for what’s left of his career. The option is limited to Bailey who is now an experienced leader of the Tasmanian Tigers. He seems a happy-go-lucky chap, who has a smile or a grin on his face most of the time, but he also seems handicapped in his efforts with a side that has a long way to go to find a sense of unity on the playing field to establish a winning culture. His grin during the Champions Trophy seemed to be more of a mask to hide the embarrassment and possible frustration at the side’s lack of venom.
 |
| Bailey is a suitable ODI leader, but who backs Clarke for Tests? ©PA Sport |
I just mentioned Bailey isn’t a long term solution. Who will be the next guy then? It’s always the million dollar question and foresight is a difficult thing in the game of cricket.
Michael Clarke is, in my opinion, not going to be playing cricket for much longer.
Sure, he may be 32 years of age, but his back is flaring up more than ever and cricket schedules are not becoming easier to manage. He is the leader of the Test and ODI squad and a replacement to take the weight off his shoulders isn’t becoming a clear vision at this point.
Clarke has also made mention that he will most probably not play into his late thirties as most players have been able to do so, not just because of the three degenerative discs in his back, but also a change of opinion. He’s a married man, a family man, and has the entrepreneur drive in him, probably enhanced through his relationship with James Packer. He has a future beyond the game and this game carries enough pressures.
In an interview he gave last year, Clarke stated the following:
"Unfortunately degeneration, it can't improve, so it's about now managing my condition.
"I'd love to see this team have success, achieve everything it wants to achieve. And then I think that is time for me to give the reins to somebody else and go and start the other side of life I guess - get involved in some sort of business and have a family and do all the things that are special to me and I still want to do when my cricket career is over."
Perhaps a miracle performance from his Test squad may see back to back Ashes victories leave one final task – to win the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. In the exclusive interview with Eddie McGuire, at the end of the interview when asked what is left for Clarke he pointed these three objectives out. To me, that would indicate that come 2015 Clarke will be calling it a day. He will be 34 years of age.
By this stage we may have seen younger emerging players such as; Joe Burns, Nic Maddinson, Pat Cummins, Ashton Agar and Chadd Sayers become centered within their career progression and potential leadership abilities. Our current crop of players may have found success to find an unsourced sense of inspiration to become leaders in the Australian Cricket landscape. It is a big dream at the moment, but I’d like to believe Michael Clarke can do something to reel in a group of leaders, just as Shane Warne did so when he earmarked Clarke as something special for the game.
Leading up to Steve Waugh’s retirement, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Shane Warne were all potential leaders to take over. Amongst them were strong minded individuals who could have also chiselled those characters into larger than life players. In fact, this is what happened. Besides being a group of unbelievable cricketers, they also had a bond on the field to tap into each other’s skills with deep insight and a surreal self-belief in any situation. It was a winning culture, groomed through leadership.
This year’s back-to-back Ashes series is quite possibly going to be one of the most important chapters for Australian Cricket looking ahead. A winning culture creates winning personalities, but to get there is another battle many sides just don’t achieve. Victory and self-belief is in the Australian sporting culture, so no excuses should be made up that these players don’t have it if this culture still exists.
This is an optimistic appeal, but in the present sense it’s a tunnel with little light. In my Ashes preview I maintained that we can most definitely win back the Ashes urn, and still do. My doubt however is regarding leadership.
David Warner was backed by Michael Clarke as a competitive bloke with definite leadership qualities. Unluckily, or possibly fortunately, Warner has cracked under pressure for a place in the Test side and a series of poor decision making dating back a few months now has put his leadership future under serious question. He could turn it around like Ricky Ponting did, but that’s speculation. In the present, he is not looking like a leader of the Australian team, especially with his inconsistent performances in all forms of the game at the elite level.
 |
| Clarke (left) with David Warner, who is losing grip to be a leader © Getty Images |
The problem with the Warner incident in England is that several players were alongside him, out at an early hour and in a situation with the opposition that leaders like Allan Border or Steve Waugh would have been nauseated by. Clarke strongly opposed the situation and when I read his opinion over the matter I felt for him. He’s leading a side in a challenging enough time for our team and now has to deal with players not only finding themselves in questionable circumstances but also not ticking the leadership and responsibility boxes next to their names – despite Clarke believing at the same time that Australian Cricket is in a fantastic place. It also just puts a dent into Clarke's efforts to be the best captain possible with players behaving this way in a professional setting.
Phillip Hughes is battling for consistency four years following his Test debut series in South Africa. Despite Clarke’s admiration for Hughes, I have had three encounters with Hughes that gave me the impression he is anything but a leader based on his public profile. Sometimes a player has a personality that screams “leadership” or there is a sixth sense that they could be the next leader. Hughes doesn’t have this and while it is my opinion, I feel strongly about this.
Ed Cowan is pushing his case with dedication to his game and he’s also taken the initiative to work hard in the County circuit to ensure he is ready for the Ashes to take guard against the new ball. This is something I respect and wish to see him flourish this series in the absence of Simon Katich. Cowan has definitely pushed his case to be a leader but he has come across as being a “teacher’s pet”, or as some may say in a cheekier way, a “brown noser”. His close relationship with his media mates gives him leverage and is a fairly smart tactic. Keep the journalists and media opinion makers close to you! Cowan isn’t the long term solution and even if he is to get an opportunity following consistent performances.
Shane Watson is at the same career stage with Clarke and has many more battles regarding his body. Having stepped down from the vice-captaincy role after the horrid Indian tour, it’s a closed door for Watson to lead Australia. His personal game requires so much attention and focus that this burden would be too much to handle.
Bowlers rarely get considered for captaincy roles. Daniel Vettori of New Zealand is a rare candidate in this regard and learnt from Stephen Fleming, one of the best of the modern game.
Peter Siddle has so much heart and passion for this game. It is a reason that makes him so hard to leave out of a starting XI. How good is his cricketing mind? I am not certain but I am not sure he’d be the captaincy material to do what Clarke does. Of all the bowlers he is the best pick.
Matthew Wade has been boosted by Clarke as a young man with a strong personality. Despite being the second keeper of choice for the Ashes, he understood the reasoning and has an objective now. He needs to become a better wicket-keeper and has the opportunity to hone in on his leadership qualities. Is he the best solution though and a realistic one to take over from Clarke? He’s had an inconsistent entrance into the elite level. Then again, who is being consistent?
George Bailey is the only player that comes to mind with regards to consistency. It is a worrying sign looking ahead. It is also a big reason why Chris Rogers was called into our Ashes squad.
Tim Paine was being groomed with leadership duties, having also lead Australia A. He still has a way to go with his return after a finger injury kept him out for the majority of last season.
Callum Ferguson struck me as a player who could have been groomed into a Michael Bevan/ Michael Hussey player of sorts with a capacity to become a senior in the side. He has become a bit of an outcast though for selection, much to my mixed feelings of disappointment and anger as a result.
Michael Klinger has lead South Australia, won the State Player of the Year award twice at the Allan Border Medal Awards, but never received the opportunity to represent Australia. His time is far gone despite doing a good job in the County circuit. Cameron White was even in the waiting seat with his leadership of Victoria, but sadly inconsistency has been an issue with him (a recurring theme of our current setup) and he’s far from top of the picking list regarding Sheffield Shield performances.
For a short while I thought Victorian batsman Michael Hill may have been a future prospect after leading the Australian u19 Squad a few years back. He has recently started to show class with Victoria. He’s got a bit of work to still do in order to get onto the radar with the selectors.
So, where do we go from here in terms of leadership?
Fortunately Michael Clarke should be ready for the Ashes. Not only is he a leader but he’s also our best batsman. He’s our most consistent performer in both Test and ODI cricket and has so many achievements to his name that come the day he walks away from the game he will be an accomplished cricket, having also been a member of the greatest Australian side.
Given this we are fortunate. We also have a good Ashes squad and the sooner the off-field dramas of recent months and the Champions Trophy exit get put behind us the better it will be for all in the Australian Cricket family.
However, the question of leadership is tough as leaders are generally naturally born but there’s always going to be grooming. Who is that natural born leader in our ranks that hasn’t been identified?
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