Australian cricket is in danger of descending into disarray, writes former Test skipper Ian Chappell..
By Ian Chappell News Limited Network January 20, 2013 10:32AM
The Argus Report was commissioned in 2011 by Cricket Australia (CA) following two devastating Ashes losses.
In 2013 Australian cricket not only faces the prospect of more demoralising Ashes losses but is also in danger of descending into disarray.
This time Australia will face England without Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, two batsmen well versed in the art of scoring runs and surviving for long periods.
And even at an advanced age, they were still among the best fielders in the side.
What remains of the line-up is Michael Clarke, the last of the "old school" batsmen and a fine player, aided and abetted by a number of players ranging from the potentially talented to borderline performers.
In the past, Australia was known as a country that produced good, attacking batsmen, not many in the high class of Ponting but plenty, like Clarke, who were close to that level.
The system is becoming more adept at producing skilful young hitters, batsmen who clear their leg better than a dog next to a tree, but ask them to survive a spell of hostile fast bowling or a testing time against a wily spinner and they'd find it simpler to bark.
In part this can be put down to young players eager to procure a lucrative IPL contract but the system is also in dire need of drastic repairs.
The poor standard of running between wickets and the paucity of young catching fieldsmen is a sure indicator the system is faltering.
Australia is also tinkering with a move away from the highly successful method of picking the best 11 and then choosing a captain from this group.
This method has always given Australia a distinct advantage over its opponents and deviating from this principle leaves the captaincy choice open to mistakes based on like and dislike, or, even worse, players who adhere to the "team ethic".
I learned much about captaincy from players who disagreed with my tactics and I always felt that the more argumentative among them were the last to accept defeat on the field.
Everything I read and heard before the Adelaide Test suggested David Warner was one failure away from being discarded.
Not only is Warner one of the bright lights among the younger brigade, an exciting batsman and a brilliant fielder, but he's also a potential leader.
He needs to be suitably encouraged, not threatened with extinction.
CA has become besotted with the need to rest players, or in their highfalutin' language, "informed player management".
I don't see Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Hashim Amla and Alistair Cook, three of the more successful and durable players in world cricket, pleading for a rest.
The first two of that trio play all three forms of the game and in Dhoni's case, he's also a regular in the IPL competition.
There's no doubt cricket's schedule is ludicrous. There are domestic T20 leagues sprouting like tulips in Holland in spring and rather than reducing the amount of cricket being played, the obsession seems to be on "the more the better financially".
The cluttered schedule needs to be addressed by a concerted effort from all cricket boards but there's more chance of peace in the Middle East before that happens.
Nevertheless, it does seem incongruous that Australia rests players from international competition who then compete in the IPL.
One of the great failings of CA has always been a lack of playing knowledge of the game at international level. If Australian cricket is strong and the National team is successful most of the remaining administrative duties take care of themself.
When I was asked to address the Argus review I said; "Make sure the system produces plenty of young, skilful and competitive cricketers and a few strong leaders and then allow them to express their talent."
Clarke is a good Australian captain who understands the priorities of the task. However, the Argus report has done little to address improving the production line and instead, has erected more hurdles in Clarkes path.
Two years on from the Argus report Australia will face England again, this time with an even greater likelihood of losing.
If Australia does lose an Ashes series in the UK and again at home, I wonder if CA will then look in the mirror and see where the real problem lies.
