2005-2010

[murphy2bedabest]

an end of an era is near, and where will australia go from here?
-what will happen in this time?

-how will we be for the world cup?

-and what about the ashes? not only in 2005.

-when and how will warne mcgrath gilly hayden boof and langer give it away? and who will replace them?

-will we go through the same down as the windies have since the late 80s?

-will watson be our all rounder that we have been wanting?

-what other side look like becomming the number 1 side?

-will murali come back to australia?

-will we care if he does?

-which state will be a powerhouse, not only producing test players, but winning pura cups?

-will 2010+ be a time for the batters or bowlers of the world?

- who will be the best in the world, batters,keppers and bowlers? will it be an australian?

[Johnson#26]

Thought this might prove an interesting bump, 5-years on (keep in mind we were in the midst of the VB Series vs Pakistan and the Windies. The 05 Ashes were still to come).

[Take Aim]

Interesting bump.

For mine, the era will truly be over when Ponting retires - as he is the last remaining player from the 'golden generation' so to speak. While he remains, you still sense that Australia have a tangible link to the great side of the 2000's in that you always expect them to fight back from anywhere.

Back in 2005, Mitchell Johnson was routinely being discussed as our next great prospect. In some ways his lived up to that and in some ways he hasn't.

Watson has also become the player we thought he could be, you can cement that with a massive ashes series.

Internationally, cricket is very even, however the back in 2005 no-one could have predicted the impact T20 would have in 2010. I remember the first international T20 was in danger of becoming a farce until Ponting played a knock to light up the match. Ironically, Ponting is totally for test cricket yet without this knock (98*) the T20 format might have fizzled rather then sizzled.

The Ashes have also enjoyed a facelift, and it is now indisputable the biggest series in the international calender, so much so, that everyelse in between might as well take on an 'ashes warmup' type scenario. Back in 2005, the India V Australia was seen as the pinnacle.

All we need now is the blanket introduction of the UDRS and I think cricket will be heading in the right direction.