Ashes backlash whips Cricket Australia

Published on Friday 7 January 2011 17:01

Cricket Australia have been accused of "an appalling lack of awareness" by the country's media who have demanded reform following their Ashes hammering by England.

Many of the columnists believe Cricket Australia are to blame following a summer of blunders.

Greg Baum, writing in the Melbourne Age, wrote: "Contemplating the margin between the teams, it can fairly be argued that right now, the worst Ashes team seen on these shores is Australia. More to the point, England is the most underestimated team in recent history and Australia the most over-estimated, at least by itself."

After the match, Michael Clarke, standing in as Test captain in place of Ricky Ponting, confirmed he would be standing down from Twenty20 cricket and Baum implored CA to take note. "Clarke said he needed to concentrate on the longer and more testing forms, and admitted that his wretched form in this series had prompted a realisation that one form messes with the methodologies of the others," he said. "Cricket Australia maintains that there is a place in the programme for all three games, but still has not arrived at a balance. Clarke has.

"Yesterday afternoon, coach, chief selector and chief executive informally launched a review by fronting up to media. But Andrew Hilditch (chief selector] said he thought the selectors had done a good job, and Tim Nielsen (coach] said he thought the preparation was about right, and so between them managed only to demonstrate how ingrained was Australia's self-denial. It really was those pathetic players after all. Cricket Australia suffers from an appalling lack of awareness."

The Sydney Morning Herald's Peter Roebuck wrote: "Andrew Hilditch's claim that the selectors did a good job came as a surprise. Three spinners were chosen without obvious progress. It was hard to believe that Australia fielded their best six batsmen.

"It's all very well talking about talent but batsmen are supposed to score runs and bowlers are called upon to take wickets. All the more reason to appoint a new (selection] panel comprising Steve Waugh, Merv Hughes and Justin Langer."

Leading with the headline 'Finally, the agony ends', the Brisbane Courier Mail included a mock-up picture of the film The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, featuring Alastair Cook, Ricky Ponting and Ben Hilfenhaus.