Sport 360° view: Aussie dream running on tired legs

Ajit Vijaykumar 08:53 06/03/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Australia accomplished what no other team had managed to do in five years – beat South Africa in a Test series.

    It is a shame it was only a three-Test rubber but Michael Clarke’s side deserved to win as they dominated large parts of the series and looked a superior side.

    It was befitting that a resurgent Australian side defeated the No1 Test side which is now without two of its best players in Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith.

    Australia seemed down in the dumps after the ‘Homeworkgate’ saga in India in 2013 that saw four players axed for not completing written assignments.

    But they have moved on from that series seamlessly and that has been managed largely due to the sharp captaincy skills of Michael Clarke, the confident batting of David Warner and Co and one fiery Mitchell Johnson.

    Most Australian players have been performing at similar levels compared to last season, with one exception – Johnson. At the age of 32, he has found a whole new gear in his bowling and somehow runs in hard all day, Test after Test, bowling at 150kmph. His brutality is the major reason behind Australia’s awe-inspiring performance.

    But other players have chipped in too.

    Pace bowlers Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson and all-rounder Shane Watson, whenever fit, have provided excellent seam-bowling support and have themselves operated at world-class levels. And off-spinner Nathan Lyon has turned into one of the most trustworthy Test tweakers currently in operation.

    Clarke has been brilliant with the bat, with the likes of Warner, Chris Rogers and wicket-keeper Brad Haddin coming up with the runs just at the right time.

    All in all, the components are working just fine.

    After a comprehensive Ashes whitewash and a sensational series win in South Africa, many Australian fans will be wondering if their golden years have returned.

    There is no doubt that it is going to be very tough to stop the Baggy Greens, but one must also realise that this is a team full of players at the latter stages of their careers and this is essentially their last jab at glory.

    Rogers is 36, Haddin 36, Harris 34 while Johnson, Clarke and Watson are 32. It means the core of the side is aged or ageing.

    Though with superior fitness, the Aussies might be able to extend this great run to 2015 – a World Cup year – one gets a feeling the wheels are just waiting to come off.

    Harris will undergo another knee operation soon and there is uncertainty as to whether he will play again at the world stage.

    Haddin and Rogers, the backbone of many recent batting performances, are definitely at the end of their careers and will most likely be dropped at the first signs of trouble.

    Rogers, in fact, has admitted to feeling forever on the verge of getting dropped.

    Their talisman Johnson has been playing for nine years and given the amount of effort he puts in even while bowling rubbish, it wont be a surprise if he is asked or forced to take a break.

    Taking all that into account, there is doubt regarding the longevity of this marauding side.

    When England became the No1 Test side, most felt they could stay there simply because they had a relatively young side. But with the Aussies, one feels it’s a matter of time before injuries, retirements or just slowing reflexes begin to take their toll.

    They are playing like there is no tomorrow and one feels they too know that this brilliant run might not last long enough to create any legacy like Steve Waugh’s merciless bunch did.

    But they are definitely making the most of it while the going is good and not many teams have managed to do that in a seemingly small window of opportunity.

    Recommended