Time for Australia to face facts
Peter English
25-Feb-2013
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Peter Roebuck, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, reminds everyone Australia have lost three of their past five Test series.
Amid all the backslapping, it is a point worth pondering. Ricky Ponting's side has slipped to fourth place in the rankings. Along the way, captain and selectors have blundered, with the wrong teams chosen, pitches misread and puzzling tactics pursued at critical moments.
Admittedly, it has not all been bad. Australia performed admirably throughout a long stint overseas. The one-day side surpassed itself. But Test cricket is the real deal, and in that arena Australia have fallen back.
Australia’s first Test squad was named on Thursday and there was no spot for Phillip Hughes. In the Australian Malcolm Conn says Hughes will have to repeat his prolific form of the past two seasons to get back into the top team.
Hughes’ coach Neil D’Costa tells Will Swanton of the Sydney Morning Herald why he is relaxed about his charge’s future.
Peter English is former Australasia editor of ESPNcricinfo