Let the games begin
There has been some grumbling about the form of the Australian team, with a loss in both the twenty/20 game and the match against county side Somerset. Have the Aussies lost their edge? The air of invincibility that has surrounded this team over the last decade is dissipating.Add in the form being showed by the England batting attack and there are actually people canvassing the idea that the Poms may actually win the ashes back. Admittedly, most people saying this are Poms themselves, but these are ideas that normally would only come from the poor die-hard English cricket team supporters.
A twenty/20 match is more entertainment value than real cricket. The match against Somerset, had 2 top international batsmen, which by definition, rules out any English players. Two of Australia's top batsmen retired to let other players have a bat and the bowling attack was blunted by an injury mid-match to Australia's fastest bowler.
Tonight, we have a real international match. A one-dayer against the lowly placed Bangladesh, who were well and truly mashed by the Poms earlier this week. Tonight, Australia must stand up and do the same. The pundits will compare the Aussie assault on the Bangers to what the Poms dished out. To regain credibility, the Aussies need to cut through the Bangers batting order and make a mockery of their bowling.
Australia need to crush the Bangers with half their time remaining to match the Poms efforts. It's time for the Aussies to stand up and be counted. Our batsmen are in fine form, particularly Hayden and Ponting. If we bat first, our target must be 400 +\- If we take the field, we must aim to have the game all done in under 50 overs.
Tomorrow the real deal starts. Australia v England. The crims v the Poms. While we await the test series for the ashes, it's time for hostilities to begin. It's time to see who can gain the advantage in the brain game leading up to the Mecca of international cricket, the battle for the ashes.
posted by Kevin Paine @ 1:27 pm
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