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I'm pretty optimistic about the future of Australian cricket. This summer has seen a significant shift in the Australian side, and one that I think will benefit us in the next few years. I thought I'd pick out a few things that I have liked about this summer, and if you like, feel free to hack on me or agree!
Inverarity: I like how he says what most people think, and he has the balls to follow through on what needs to happen. From today on cricinfo, regarding Marsh and Smith:
"Shaun Marsh is coming off a horror Test series against India and Inverarity made it clear Marsh had not simply been rested, but needed to go back to Western Australia and prove himself again.
"Shaun as we've all seen is a very talented player," he said. "At the moment he's in a difficult period. We've all seen that. We think the best way that he can recover his form is out of the spotlight in Shield cricket. We look forward to him doing well in that and coming again."
Nor was there room for Smith, who was ranked highly in Cricket Australia's contract list last year but now finds himself out of the team in all three formats..."Steve Smith is a very promising player, with his potential for batting and fielding and bowling, we really hope he will develop in the future. But I think he needs to do more. He needs to do more with his batting and his bowling to establish himself."
We have also seen the call, made at the appropriate time, on Phil Hughes.
Clarke: His captaincy has been astute and aggressive. He succeeded in captaining a whitewash against India, who have a strong, albeit fading, batting line-up. He has declared at exactly the right times when needed. He has handled a very inexperienced pace attack well, and has set good fields for Lyon. He always seems to be on top of what is happening, which is what a captain needs to do. The fielding under him has been sharp and aggressive. He has also taken his batting to another level with two massive scores.
Ponting and Hussey: I thought both were gone pre series. However, both have had great series, and it seems Clarke enjoys having them in his side. I think at their age they become series by series prospects, but until someone in the Shield smashes some consistent runs, they will remain. The two of them remain our best fielders as well, Ponting is our best slipper and Hussey is a wizard in the gully.
The pace attack: Pattinson, Cummins, Siddle and Starc will hopefully carry our attack for the next five years or more. They are all aggressive, quick and willing. Add Hilfenhaus and Harris and we have plenty of firepower to win tests. Siddle has taken his game to another level, Pattinson reminds me of Craig McDermott, and Cummins will intimidate at the highest level. I think Starc will become a far superior left arm bowler to Johnson once he gets it all together. Hilfenhaus has rejuvenated a career that looked over six months ago. His selection was very good.
Injuries that helped: I think losing both Watson and in particular, Mitchell Johnson, to injury have been massive benefits to the team this summer. I think the team was relying too heavily on Watson, and Johnson's injury simply meant that we had bowlers applying pressure from both ends, instead of leaking runs constantly. While I imagine Watson will return for Marsh, I think Johnson should be left out of tests now for good.
Warner and Cowan: I think they should be persisted with, as I think they can become a very effective and dominant opening pair. Warner's technique is beautiful, as is his power, and Cowan is a clever batsman who anchors the top order well and knows his own game.
I think this series against India will be the beginning of a very successful era under Clarke.
Inverarity: I like how he says what most people think, and he has the balls to follow through on what needs to happen. From today on cricinfo, regarding Marsh and Smith:
"Shaun Marsh is coming off a horror Test series against India and Inverarity made it clear Marsh had not simply been rested, but needed to go back to Western Australia and prove himself again.
"Shaun as we've all seen is a very talented player," he said. "At the moment he's in a difficult period. We've all seen that. We think the best way that he can recover his form is out of the spotlight in Shield cricket. We look forward to him doing well in that and coming again."
Nor was there room for Smith, who was ranked highly in Cricket Australia's contract list last year but now finds himself out of the team in all three formats..."Steve Smith is a very promising player, with his potential for batting and fielding and bowling, we really hope he will develop in the future. But I think he needs to do more. He needs to do more with his batting and his bowling to establish himself."
We have also seen the call, made at the appropriate time, on Phil Hughes.
Clarke: His captaincy has been astute and aggressive. He succeeded in captaining a whitewash against India, who have a strong, albeit fading, batting line-up. He has declared at exactly the right times when needed. He has handled a very inexperienced pace attack well, and has set good fields for Lyon. He always seems to be on top of what is happening, which is what a captain needs to do. The fielding under him has been sharp and aggressive. He has also taken his batting to another level with two massive scores.
Ponting and Hussey: I thought both were gone pre series. However, both have had great series, and it seems Clarke enjoys having them in his side. I think at their age they become series by series prospects, but until someone in the Shield smashes some consistent runs, they will remain. The two of them remain our best fielders as well, Ponting is our best slipper and Hussey is a wizard in the gully.
The pace attack: Pattinson, Cummins, Siddle and Starc will hopefully carry our attack for the next five years or more. They are all aggressive, quick and willing. Add Hilfenhaus and Harris and we have plenty of firepower to win tests. Siddle has taken his game to another level, Pattinson reminds me of Craig McDermott, and Cummins will intimidate at the highest level. I think Starc will become a far superior left arm bowler to Johnson once he gets it all together. Hilfenhaus has rejuvenated a career that looked over six months ago. His selection was very good.
Injuries that helped: I think losing both Watson and in particular, Mitchell Johnson, to injury have been massive benefits to the team this summer. I think the team was relying too heavily on Watson, and Johnson's injury simply meant that we had bowlers applying pressure from both ends, instead of leaking runs constantly. While I imagine Watson will return for Marsh, I think Johnson should be left out of tests now for good.
Warner and Cowan: I think they should be persisted with, as I think they can become a very effective and dominant opening pair. Warner's technique is beautiful, as is his power, and Cowan is a clever batsman who anchors the top order well and knows his own game.
I think this series against India will be the beginning of a very successful era under Clarke.
