The decline of Aussies....

From the lacklustre performance of the visiting Australian cricket team, it is evident that this is the weakest Aussie team in over a decade.

 The fourth day of the final test at Nagpur will be remembered for the defensive mindset of the Aussie captain Ricky Ponting. At a time when he should have gone for the kill, he refused to make use of his strike pace bowlers. He was more concerned about the making up for slow over rate and hence turned to his spin bowlers. This is not what we have come to expect from an Aussie captain. What could have been the worst case if he had made use of the pace bowlers? He could have been fined and may be suspended for one match. On the other side, the Indians were in real trouble with the loss of quick wickets and if Brett Lee could have picked up either Dhoni or Bhajie, the Indian innings would have ended quickly. Instead, the spin bowlers allowed India to claw back to the game and at the end of the match, this cost Australia the Border – Gavaskar trophy.

 In spite of the brilliant eight wicket haul for Krezja in the first innings, one has to admit that the Australian spin bowling is not even good without the mighty Shane Warne. For that matter, neither is their pace bowling, without Glenn McGrath. Their batting lacks the stability without Justin Langer. The retirement of Adam Gilchrist means they are no longer dominant over the opposing bowlers.

 Ricky Ponting have reasons to be defensive, but without the trademark killer instinct, all that remains is plain arrogance and typical intolerance in the face of better opponents.

 Sadly for Aussies, these are simply not enough to conquer the resurgent Indians....