Is our reign over?

[brod]

Martyn was definitely a lesser light in the dominant Aus side, but would have been the best player if his time was now...

Thats a stretch.

At their best

Hussey exceeds Martyn

[Media Park]

Hussey's best, Ponting's best, both exceeds Martyn's, but Martyn's best now...?

I take it back... MJ Clarke...

[Pottsy]

Martyn was definitely a lesser light in the dominant Aus side, but would have been the best player if his time was now...

Thats a stretch.

At their best

Hussey exceeds Martyn

Talent is in the eye of the beholder...I'd take Marto ahead of almost any mentioned in this thread. No justification. Just that apparent forward defence that went to the boundary time and again. I just wish he was a bit more patient in the middle so we could have seen more of it.

[Ian]

Australia haven't been the best side in the world for some time imho

Agree

[FlyingHigh]

WI went from amazing high's (80's) to an unbelievable low (through to NOW).

I think we work with Smith and mould him into another warnie, or try to make him as good as.

.

I think this is part of the problem of the West Indies, and the Australians are starting to go down that path.
The Windies players subsequent to their great era tried to play in the same vein as those superstars, and they just weren't up to it, rather than readjusting their game. Sometimes the Australians in the last couple of years want to play with the same aggressive attitude and dominate teams like Australian teams during our golden period, especially with the bat. Our players need to play the game that best suits their style of play, not be something they are not.

[mal]

To lose soo many start players and still be a competitive force satisfys me
They have won and drawn the last 3 series, thats ok
Playing India over on the dustmines will sort out a few players , and perhaps some careers will be on the line
But on our decks we should beat EG this summer
Get a drawn series against India and the form may look very good after the Ashes tests

[Gozu]

From memory a few players we've lost to retirement are Damien Martyn during the last Ashes series here, Warne, McGrath & Langer at the end of that series, Gilchrist & Brad Hogg after the India series in 07/08, MacGill during the West Indies series in 08 and Hayden after the South African series here in 08/09. Throw in Andrew Symonds' departure mid-last year and that is a lot of holes to fill.

[stampy]

just on damien matryn, apparently those involved reckoned he was the absolute best to go through the academy, his eye and timing were miles above anyone else, just couldnt be screwed to put it out there constanly long enough, what a shame, but how many champion sportseople are there like that?

[Media Park]

Agree with MAL, in Aus, we will be regaining the Ashes...

Rug, MJ, and Hughhefnerhaus will dominate, and either Smith/Horrie will go alright.

Factor into that our form three man batting lineup, and we've got it in the bag.

[The Dark Knight]

To lose soo many start players and still be a competitive force satisfys me
They have won and drawn the last 3 series, thats ok
Playing India over on the dustmines will sort out a few players , and perhaps some careers will be on the line
But on our decks we should beat EG this summer
Get a drawn series against India and the form may look very good after the Ashes tests

We will smash England IMO, we are far more comfortable at home. India will be tough and I reckon we'll either lose or draw the series there as all the teams attention is fixed mainly on winning back the ashes.

[smac]

I think this is part of the problem of the West Indies, and the Australians are starting to go down that path.
The Windies players subsequent to their great era tried to play in the same vein as those superstars, and they just weren't up to it, rather than readjusting their game. Sometimes the Australians in the last couple of years want to play with the same aggressive attitude and dominate teams like Australian teams during our golden period, especially with the bat. Our players need to play the game that best suits their style of play, not be something they are not.

Agree with that.

The number of kids who try to walk in and bowl like Warne is just frightening for the future of spin in this country. The man was a freak of nature, no one can get that much pace on a ball off a few steps other than him. Then there's the spin he managed, just not replicable. Build good cricketers in their own shadow, not in that of others.

[Rik E Boy]

To lose soo many start players and still be a competitive force satisfys me
They have won and drawn the last 3 series, thats ok
Playing India over on the dustmines will sort out a few players , and perhaps some careers will be on the line
But on our decks we should beat EG this summer
Get a drawn series against India and the form may look very good after the Ashes tests

We will smash England IMO, we are far more comfortable at home. India will be tough and I reckon we'll either lose or draw the series there as all the teams attention is fixed mainly on winning back the ashes.

I don't reckon we'll smash England but I expect a close series with the bat dominating the ball. It will be difficult to bowl the other mob out twice for both sides. Australia's batting must improve to take the Ashes. I reckon Australia 2-1 with a couple of draws. Brisbane and Perth the best chances for Australia with Melbourne and Sydney the danger game for the Aussies. Adelaide test a draw for sure I reckon.

regards,

REB