What's Everyone Talking About?

Ensign Lestat's Cricket Log, 27/08/08

The Baggy Green

I suppose my annoyance is ill-advised. After all, people would say, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath are two of the greatest bowlers of all time. I don't deny that. My problem is they've been out of the international scene for a really long time. And Australia have been winning without them.

Let's see now. The last Test series that Australia lost was definitely the Ashes 2005. They've won every Test series since. Warne and Glenn retired in 2006! How many Test series have they lost since then? NONE!

So why is everyone constantly pointing out the fact that Australia don't have these two players? Have either of them been involved in Australia's victories since Ashes 06/07? NO! Talk like this is, to say the least, demoralising for the likes of Stuart Clark and Brett Lee who give heart and soul to each game they play, and do really well. Of course, listening to the "experts", you'd think Australia's new spearhead bowlers were incompetent. And if anyone agrees with that statement, they need to be shot!

Granted they haven't got a great spin bowler, but we can at least give Beau Casson and the like a chance. People were writing off Warne when he first started off, too.

Then there's the issue with ODIs. Granted Australia have lost two back-to-back CB series, but the first one that they lost had Glenn bowling. The second one - well we know what happened. Let's not discuss it, or else I'll probably burst a blood cell.

However, win, lose, or draw, it is pointed out by all and sundry that Australia do not have the services of Warne. They haven't had the services of Warne since 2003! That didn't stop them from creating a world record of 23 consecutive ODI wins. Nor did that stop them from winning the 2007 World Cup comfortably. So why is Warne's name constantly brought up? Beats me! I know he was the best leggy around, but they can win without him.

Anyway, now that Australia are about to play again, I wish them luck. I really hope Clarkie does himself justice and that I see Ricky, Matty and Binga back in action soon.