Author: admin

AUSTRALIA IN TRANSITION

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The Australia cricket team are most certainly one in transition, and the biggest concern right now to the Australian board would be whether or not the quality of talent that Australia is producing now is up to the standards of their previous teams.

It was clear for all to see that it would take a period of time to recover and rehabilitate after the loss of such an inspirational generation of cricketers, with some of the finest cricketers to have ever graced the game leaving the team. The only man who still remains from that specific golden generation of Aussie cricketers is Ricky Ponting, and to a lesser extent Michael Clarke.

It appears now that Ponting is on his way out of the team, and he has done his best to try and help guide the team towards its new path, but a lot of work still appears to be needed. They have been bowled out for exceptionally low totals with far more regularity of late, with the problem in particular appearing to be the moving ball on seaming pitches.

This is a problem that needs to be addressed, and they also need to try and help bring the Australian public back to the game. Its popularity within the country appears to be on the wane, with attendances down and participation rates reduced. One of the ways in which Cricket Australia hopes to tackle the slump is via the introduction of the new T20 Big Bash League.

Its first game received a relatively poor attendance, but the television viewing figures of Shane Warne’s return to Australian cricket was sensational, so it is hard at this stage to understand just how successful this tournament will be.

GILCHRIST STILL LOVED

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In spite of retiring from the game of cricket almost three years back now, it seems that Adam Gilchrist is still residing at large in the hearts of a large section of the cricketing community in Australia, particularly the Indian fans. The Swami Army, which is supporters’ group of Indians residing in Australia chanted slogans of ‘Bring Back Gilly’ in reference to the former Australian wicket-keeper batsman’s nickname in order to provoke the current Australian wicket-keeper Brad Haddin . Gilchirst, who retired from the international game in 2009 after a series against India, was an extremely popular figure among all cricket fans, mainly because of his explosive batting but also for his honesty that saw him walk off the field many times when he felt that he was out in spite of not being given out by the umpire.

According to the members of the Swami Army, which is being looked at as the Indian answer to the famous Barmy Army of England, said that they were winding Haddin up not only with chants for Adam Gilchrist but also chanted the name of Matthew Wade, the Victorian wicket-keeper who is being looked at as the long term replacement for Haddin in the Australian side.

Sumit Grover, a founder member of the Swami Army, however, said that chants were not intended to hurt the sentiments of Brad Haddin, who was seen gesturing in their direction many times when a wicket fell. It was, on the other hand, a chant for the love of the charismatic Adam Gilchrist, whose swashbuckling style of play earned him a lot of fan following in places far away from his native land.

The swami Army also managed to taunt fast bowler Peter Siddle who seemed visibly upset with their behavior and went on to complain to the field umpire about it.