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Craig HillShane Warne watching the 2009 Ashes from the commentary box, don’t bet on it !
December 27th 2006 21:39
Amid all the fanfare about the dual retirements of one of the greatest bowling partnerships in world cricket there has been some coverage of just what an Australian side might look like in 2009.
So far as the fast bowling stocks are concerned the larder is full. The emergence of Stuart Clark in the test team with Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait and to a lesser degree Nathan Bracken all lurking in the periphery has most pundits convinced that McGrath will be missed but replaceable. Not so Warne.
As South Africa have found over the years it is not just the quality of your pace bowling attack that allows you to win test matches. The absence of a quality spinner in their line up has allowed batsmen to build rhythm against the monotony of the quicks and take the easy pickings on offer against meagre spin bowling.
Despite the long break between the Sydney test this year and the next appointment with Sri Lanka there are up to eleven test series to be played in the lead up to the 2009 Ashes. The most challenging of these series appears to be home fixtures against India in 2007/08, away fixtures in Pakistan in the New Year of 2008 and home and away fixtures against South African the following summer.
India always present a challenge as Steve Waugh found in his final series without Warne and McGrath at his disposal. Having lost only one home series since Warne started his career in 1992 the increased pressure from the coming series might become an issue. Young players like Dan Cullen and Cameron White may find that their initial forays into international cricket are not quite so rosy as the previous series victories involving Warne, McGrath, Martyn, Langer et al have lead them to believe.
Warne, in previous interviews, has stated that if asked really, really nicely by Ponting and Hilditch that he may consider coming out of retirement for the World Cup next year. Despite the apparent finality in his retirement statement last week, Warne is for the turning.
A barren 2007/08 summer for the Aussie attack and subsequent poor showings in the subcontinent will have pundits asking if it possible. Warne’s burning desire to be loved and adored as quoted by Steve Waugh may put his notably poor off field judgement to the test. The women’s magazines may well have a field day with Warne’s marital circumstances but anything short of a full reconciliation with his ex-wife may have a lonely and vulnerable Warne pining for the spotlight again. His old mate Murali closing in on his world record and subsequently charging towards 1,000 wickets might all be too much for him. Don’t be surprised if some coverage is given to the possibility this time next summer.
So far as the fast bowling stocks are concerned the larder is full. The emergence of Stuart Clark in the test team with Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait and to a lesser degree Nathan Bracken all lurking in the periphery has most pundits convinced that McGrath will be missed but replaceable. Not so Warne.
As South Africa have found over the years it is not just the quality of your pace bowling attack that allows you to win test matches. The absence of a quality spinner in their line up has allowed batsmen to build rhythm against the monotony of the quicks and take the easy pickings on offer against meagre spin bowling.
Despite the long break between the Sydney test this year and the next appointment with Sri Lanka there are up to eleven test series to be played in the lead up to the 2009 Ashes. The most challenging of these series appears to be home fixtures against India in 2007/08, away fixtures in Pakistan in the New Year of 2008 and home and away fixtures against South African the following summer.
India always present a challenge as Steve Waugh found in his final series without Warne and McGrath at his disposal. Having lost only one home series since Warne started his career in 1992 the increased pressure from the coming series might become an issue. Young players like Dan Cullen and Cameron White may find that their initial forays into international cricket are not quite so rosy as the previous series victories involving Warne, McGrath, Martyn, Langer et al have lead them to believe.
Warne, in previous interviews, has stated that if asked really, really nicely by Ponting and Hilditch that he may consider coming out of retirement for the World Cup next year. Despite the apparent finality in his retirement statement last week, Warne is for the turning.
A barren 2007/08 summer for the Aussie attack and subsequent poor showings in the subcontinent will have pundits asking if it possible. Warne’s burning desire to be loved and adored as quoted by Steve Waugh may put his notably poor off field judgement to the test. The women’s magazines may well have a field day with Warne’s marital circumstances but anything short of a full reconciliation with his ex-wife may have a lonely and vulnerable Warne pining for the spotlight again. His old mate Murali closing in on his world record and subsequently charging towards 1,000 wickets might all be too much for him. Don’t be surprised if some coverage is given to the possibility this time next summer.
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