The Aussies need to rekindle their ruthless razzmatazz

Congratulations to MS Dhoni for nailing the Aussies by a 4-0 margin. Suddenly, the critics have changed their tone; MS Dhoni and coach Duncan Fletcher aren’t the scapegoats anymore. Though, even a couple of months ago, people were after Dhoni and Fletcher’s heads. But things have changed now and India has successfully come out of the horrors of the shambolic past with a commendable performance. A gentle breeze is blowing in the Indian camp.

But for the Australians things aren’t looking rosy at all. After a 4-0 bashing, the Australian cricket are in the mud. It had not been the Australian unit we are actually used to witness. We all witnessed an Australian unit which has surrendered meekly. Whereas, traditionally, the Australians are fighters who never give up till the last minute.

The Aussie batsmen were shaky – too allergic against the turning ball and in the second innings they continued to fail in the most ignominious manner. The Australian bowlers were just running and bowl without a purpose and proper intention while the fielders were less energetic throughout the Test series. Michael Clarke has been the only batsman to strike gold, but his own batting consistency weren’t enough to keep his team from sinking. Again, controversy had haunted this Australian side which is very unusual. 

The Australian team in India lacked passion, purpose, heart and above all - aggression. Yes, this Australian team doesn’t breathe fire when the battle is tough. This Australian team doesn’t hunt and don’t feel defeated after digesting heavy defeats. It is lacking that intimidating factor which has been the part and parcel of Australian cricket and has been instrumental in setting up many wins in the past. Even though, at Delhi, we did notice some aggressive verbal practice from the Australian players but they didn’t bear enough importance as an ideal balance between mental intimidation and aggressive cricket remained absent. Australia’s verbal aggression only indicated of a unit who were literally frustrated with themselves.

They are saying that this touring Australian unit lacks the experience in touring India and for which they didn’t click. It sounds like un-Australian. An Australian doesn’t defend such a way.

When Allan Border toured India in 1986, it consisted of players who were touring India for the first time. And those inexperienced but enthusiastic bunch of Aussies were against the giants of the game. But they didn’t get afraid against the likes of Gavaskars, Kapils and Shastris and gave that World Champion Indian team a run for their money. As a matter of fact, that young and inexperienced Australian side’s body language was energetically aggressive enough to accept any of the opposition’s challenges. They never bogged down under adversity. Similarly, Mark Taylor took a low-profile Australian side to the West Indies in 1995. Taylor didn’t have a great attack, except Shane Warne to dent the mighty Caribbean batting. Neither did he have a solid batting line up to face the fury of Ambrose and Walsh. But in 1995, Australia ended West Indies’ unbeaten run in Test cricket. The mantra was an ideal balance between mental intimidation and aggressive cricket.

The Australian aggression was rekindled under Allan Border and Bob Simpson in a very crucial period of Australian cricket. With Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh leaving the scene, Australia found themselves in the middle of nowhere. Allan Border took over the captaincy and Bob Simpson was made the coach in a period of time when Australian cricket had hit the rock bottom. Border and Simpson were not blessed with great talents but they did have some passionate bunch of individuals who were brought under a certain work ethics and one of the important ethics was to develop a unique aggressive nature to dent the opposition’s psyche – an aggression which made a perfect balance between the body language, words and deeds. A new Australian era had begun.

The legacy of Allan Border was carried on by Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting but Michael Clarke is finding it hard to carry on that legacy. But Michael Clarke is lacking Border’s boldness and flair, Taylor’s daring and diplomacy and Steve Waugh’s ruthless razzmatazz. Michael Clarke’s captaincy and man management skills aren’t shining as brightly as his batting. But that’s not expected from an Aussie leader.

Being the captain, Michael Clarke must reinstall the aggression within his men. Like Border and Simpson, Clarke and Mickey Arthur must sort out a certain work ethic to galvanize his men. Clarke must make his men understand the value of the Baggy Green cap. Michael Clarke must make his men an army of ruthless men. Without rekindling the aggressive flair, the Australian team won’t come back on track. Michael Clarke has to be the messiah of his team to essay the Renaissance of a ruthless Australian team.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar