For nearly 3 years, a team was in its bad time to the depth. They were facing all kind of miseries: on the field, off the field, in media, family problems, etc.
They were the champions for nearly 2 decades in cricket history. They have produced legends to this game of cricket. They were unbeatable and there were times even their squad in the bench can beat any international cricket playing XI!
Suddenly, as it happens in movies, as it happens to all in their lives, there came a major blow, as almost all of the players were retiring from cricket. Some were by force and some made way to the youngsters. The best part was, they all retired at their form were in peak!
Yes I'm talking about Australian cricket team.
The only seniors Aussies were having after 2009 were Ricky and Hussey. And they both announced their retirement; former on November 2012 and later on December 2012. Later, Australia's performances were widely talked and commented in all the Medias, as it will be the end of era for their capitalization in cricket for 20 years.
After the series win against Srilanka on December 2012, Aussies did not taste any victories until November 2013. They ended up in a draw with SA, another drawn series with NZ, which came after decades, and worse than these, they lost series of India and England in away.
The pain when you were at peak and fell off will be worse
than any other wound you get. In that way, when Aussies got the things wrong,
it was them even a cricket IL literal’s topic was.
Some individuals showed up their talents even when they were
losing, but it was not coming as a whole from the team. But things suddenly
started changing with the sacking of Micky Arthur and the announcement of new
coach Darren Lehman.
The team introduced for the ongoing ashes is not different
from the one which lost to England as 3-0. But what Clarke and Lehman did was,
encouraging the patrol and giving them another chance to show up. Pup was
confident of his mates, believed in their self-confident, and that made the
story happened.
Rogers, Harris and Bailey and even some other guys in the
playing XI are of the last years of cricket of their career. But still they
found the fuel left in them and fired, to show the rivals England how capable
they are to regain the ashes.
It’s the entire “Never say die” attitude which won them
ashes.
There are few rises of the underdogs witnessed.
Davey Warner, with his T20 style aggressive batting and the
off ground attitudes, he was almost not in the list for expecting 2 centuries
and 2 fifties so far! He found the real Hayden in him, made a perfect opener
role for tests. Way to go lad.
Secondly, Steve smith, with lots of pros and cons on his
expectations of being the next captain of Aussies, he again showed up himself
with the bat. He really battled well in the 3rd test with a fine
ton, his pull shots were lovely to watch. He is really matured enough and he is
for sure not the kid smith anymore.
Then, cameo of Mitch Johnson. with his bowling and batting. He
almost threatened Englishmen with his mustache and chin music bowling! He
regularly touched 150kmph and hit the pitch hard with full hearted effort! Very
aggressive with the bowling, and sometimes, verbally too (sledging guys ;) ).
The other bowlers, Siddle and Harris, gave Mitch the perfect
support and hit the bowl in the right areas to give England no mercy. Nathan
Lyon, was in his high form, far more better than his counterpart, Swann.
Not to forget, the captain, Michael Clarke, was performing
as the real Michael we want. With that superb century in Adelaide, he led the
way of aggressiveness. No doubt about it, Aussies are the only team that play
aggressive cricket in tests and they love it! So do we, not?
So it’s the time back as we feel champions! It was a phoenix
effort. They dogged down into low level, they had the time of transform, they
fought hard to get back their glory, and finally they got it with a bang!
That is what a real Aussie is about, fight hard and party
hard!
