Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Exposed! Are Aussies home-track bullies?

August 09, 2015 11:46 IST

Cricket Australia says to review foreign flops

‘It's not easy playing away but it's something we have to get better at’

Australia's Shaun Marsh and Mitchell Johnson

From left, Australia's Shaun Marsh and Mitchell Johnson walk away after the 4th Ashes Test match. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Australia's cricket board has promised a review of the Ashes debacle after the dead rubber Test at The Oval and will seek answers to the team's continued flops on foreign pitches.

Eighteen months after blitzing England 5-0, Australia's rout in Nottingham to surrender the Ashes 3-1 has again exposed the team as home-track bullies.

Australia have won four out of five of their past Test series on home soil, but have been thrashed in away series against India, Pakistan and England in the last two years.

"After every series we will sit down and review, and I think there is an opportunity for a reflection on (our) style of play," Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland told reporters in Melbourne.

"It's not easy playing away but it's something we have to get better at. We want to be the best cricket team in the world and to do that we have to be better at playing away."

Losing the coveted urn to arch-rivals England is depressing enough in cricket-mad Australia, but the manner of the team's capitulation after entering the series favourites and pumped-up with confidence has prompted criticism from all quarters.

Most of the blame has been heaped upon the batsmen, who struggled to adapt to English conditions and appearing inept when facing the moving ball.

Selectors, including coach Darren Lehmann, have also been roasted for a number of surprising decisions, including the omission of long-serving wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for most of the series and for failing to pick an all-rounder in the decisive loss at Trent Bridge.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he believed up to seven players apart from Clarke may never play another Test after the tour wraps up at The Oval, with the ageing team in dire need of regeneration.

Also Read

6 reasons why 'Dad's Army' Australia must wield the axe

Vibrant England find perfect blend to win Ashes

I said I wouldn't cry but maybe I might at some stage: Cook

English folk take to Twitter to celebrate Ashes triumph

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.