Ponting and the "new" Aussie team

[Maula Jutt]

Seems a little monotonous with all the Pakistan/India topics lately so here's something for a change.. AUSSIE TEAM!



This came out in August 2009.


Australian cricket has lost the ruthless cutting edge cultivated by Steve Waugh that made them one of the most feared teams, according to former players.

Former Test wicketkeeper Steve Rixon said Ponting is a magnificent batsman, but he will never be regarded as a great captain, and added that Australia have lost their killer instinct under him.

Ponting became the first Australian captain in 119 years to lose consecutive series on English soil, The Daily Telegraph reported.

Rixon says the take-no-prisoners psyche cultivated by Waugh has been eroded.

“I don’t relate to the brand of cricket we are playing under Ricky. We aren’t playing the sort of cricket that has made us ruthless and a team that no one really likes to play,” Rixon said.

“Teams aren’t capitulating under pressure like they used to. We seem to have a more timid nature . . . and that could certainly have a bearing on a tight series like the one in England.

“We’re struggling against sides we should be beating. England is renowned for capitulating under pressure, but we never got ruthless or flexed our muscle,” he said.

http://blog.taragana.com/sports/2009...players-24226/




Recently...

Steve Waugh said Australia had proved its dominance winning the Champions Trophy, but with all-round cricketing season it was difficult for any team to dominate the game throughout various formats.

“Australia dominated the series but they probably lost big moments. Australia did very well in the short forms, winning the last four World Cups, two ICC mini-World Cups…, test matches, but I do not think any side dominates cricket like the West Indies in the 80’s and probably we did in the 90’s,” Waugh said.


http://blog.taragana.com/sports/2009...-skills-35907/



There was also a piece on Cricinfo about the changing nature of AUS team.. that I can't find right now. About ow there are no more 'bad guys' in the AUS team anymore and it is more about 'nice guys' now which is not exactly a trademark of the Aussie team we all know.




So tell me.. do you guys think that this changing nature of the Aussie team will affect it's performance in world cricket too?

[Random Aussie]

McGrath, Warne

[dani2k]

I think they will return to their old ways once they have a settled team and have some consistent results to show. A non arrogant aussie player seems out of place any time!

[Random Aussie]

Originally Posted by dani2k I think they will return to their old ways once they have a settled team and have some consistent results to show. A non arrogant aussie player seems out of place any time!

I hope so, current team is too meek and mild for my liking.

[OZGOD]

Originally Posted by Random Aussie I hope so, current team is too meek and mild for my liking.

Same here...they're too lovey dovey kissy facey hold hands and sing kumbaya for me too.