Things really are crook when Poms say: bring on the Ashes

I know we keep banging on about the cricket, but these are troubled times we find ourselves in. Things are so bad that the English are now lining up to sink the boots in to Ricky Ponting’s wounded warriors. Like hyenas circling a lame lion, the Poms are now coming over all brave and stout-hearted. 

The Guardian’s cricket writer Mike Selvey, a handy trundler himself not so long ago, has wasted no time in light of Australia’s 2-0 series loss to India in declaring that the King is dead, long live the King.

He finished off his piece in The Guardian this week with the following observations about the Indian tour …

”Five things this series taught us:
1. Australia have no great bowlers

With the decline of Brett Lee, this attack lacks a great performer. A captain is only as good as his bowlers, and Ricky Ponting’s resources are limited. His is an attack to be wary of but not one to fear.

2. The lack of high-class bowling is impacting on Ponting’s captaincy

The smooth-running machine of old is clanking along now, calling for new strategies, more patience and steadiness. Grist has been added to the mill of those who have seen a potential panicker in Ponting. His bizarre tactics on the fourth evening in Nagpur could even place his position under threat.

3. There seems to be little inspiration within the coaching ranks

The days of Sun Tzu’s Art of War have gone and might usefully be replaced by something less taxing. The inability of the Australian seamers, with the exception of Shane Watson towards the end of the series, to get the hang of reverse swing is telling, given that Troy Cooley was hired to impart precisely that skill.

4. The fear factor has gone

No side will now go into a series against Australia facing invincibility. Home and away this year the Indian team have shown the way. Australia will still hold their own in most company but necessity means it will be a different, more cautious, side that we see in the future.

5. The bookies watched with interest

Bookmakers have slashed the odds on regaining the Ashes. And they think they know.”

So there you have it. If ever Ponting needs motivation, and ammunition, for his tired, sore, bedraggled and out-of-form team it is the news that the English are now strutting around like bantam roosters and saying: bring on the Ashes. That should rouse a few of them from their sub-continental torpor.