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With all the backslapping, cigar smoking and chanpagne sipping that went on through the 90's and early part of 2000's it is becoming apparent that Cricket Australia have failed the Australian public. This article, http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010...nterest-waning lifted from the Sunday Age suggests that grassroots cricket is in trouble. If so then our problems now are only going to be exacerbated.
How has this happened? How has a country with the most successful team in the modern era ended up in a situation where grass roots participation is declining and the next generation is getting thin. Its easy to blame Gen X as being too self absorbed to play cricket. Lets face its not exactly a now type game, but surely Cricket Australia must have seen this coming.
To me the fact that it was too hard to get out of the Australian team in any form of the game has made atheletes reluctant to choose cricket as a sport - think Easton Wood! The graft required to play District/State cricket is such that people give up quite a bit for no quarantee of ever getting a baggy green. Every man and his dog has seen the way guys have been carried for an extended period in the team (and this was happening before Punter was captain) meaning quality players like Siddons, Law, Lehmann, Hodge etc just never got a go.....if guys of that ilk can't crack the team how can young guys learning the game expect to crack a game.....
The the rise of the sub-continent's power in cricket has taken CA well and truly off guard. Their failure to see the extent of influence that the sub-continent has on the game is astounding. Rather than seeking to build bridges with the sub-continent, the gentlman's club that is cricket australia chose to oppose their influence in a arm wrestle they could never hope to win. Its left them largely out on their own, with the nations they could most rely on, England, NZ and SA wavering in their support.
The failure to embrace the 20-20 game and seek to be a leader in that form has cost CA dearly. CA should have been jumping at the bit to have a State team or two take part in the competition. For a start it would mean xtra revenue for State cricket. It would also mean that players would be more fully employed. If as a young cricketer you could see that you could make a living playing cricket would you do that? Sure part of your season woudl be Shield and hopefully international, but the ability to represent your state in the IPL and get paid for it would be an enticing carrot. No CA failed to see this and chose like an Ostrich to stick their heads in the sand and hope that this phase of the game was a fad, something that would fade in time.......when basically all indicators were pointing to the fact that 50 over cricket and test matches were the ones that were failing. Australian white washes of sub-strength opposition do not make good viewing and flat track bullies pummeling mediocre attacks gets a little mundane!
Finally, the actual atmosphere in attending the cricket needs to be addressed. It is too sterile, too pc with over zealous crowd controllers stamping down on the least bit of crowd entertainment. Comparing going to the cricket in Australia with going to the cricket in the UK, the experience is chalk and cheese. I went to the 1st test at Loreds of Ausrtalia v Pakistan.....in accordance with the rules I was able to take in 2 cans of beer (500ml ones) and my picnic hamper of food.....hence I wasn't forced to pay rip off prices for food and drink which mean the £30 per person I paid was offset by being able to fully cater for food and partly cater for beer. Compare that to Australia and ticket prices are nearer double and food and drink prioces mean you often need to extend your credit card limit just to take you family....because lest face it no stadium is going to let you BYO!
AS for the atmosphere itself, again the contrasts are stark. Lords is by far the most conservative of grounds, but even they will let you bash a beach ball around if the game gets a little boring.....even they will allow the crowd to engage in a little banter.
That's my rant, but I think Australian cricket is ill and the people at the top are responsible!
How has this happened? How has a country with the most successful team in the modern era ended up in a situation where grass roots participation is declining and the next generation is getting thin. Its easy to blame Gen X as being too self absorbed to play cricket. Lets face its not exactly a now type game, but surely Cricket Australia must have seen this coming.
To me the fact that it was too hard to get out of the Australian team in any form of the game has made atheletes reluctant to choose cricket as a sport - think Easton Wood! The graft required to play District/State cricket is such that people give up quite a bit for no quarantee of ever getting a baggy green. Every man and his dog has seen the way guys have been carried for an extended period in the team (and this was happening before Punter was captain) meaning quality players like Siddons, Law, Lehmann, Hodge etc just never got a go.....if guys of that ilk can't crack the team how can young guys learning the game expect to crack a game.....
The the rise of the sub-continent's power in cricket has taken CA well and truly off guard. Their failure to see the extent of influence that the sub-continent has on the game is astounding. Rather than seeking to build bridges with the sub-continent, the gentlman's club that is cricket australia chose to oppose their influence in a arm wrestle they could never hope to win. Its left them largely out on their own, with the nations they could most rely on, England, NZ and SA wavering in their support.
The failure to embrace the 20-20 game and seek to be a leader in that form has cost CA dearly. CA should have been jumping at the bit to have a State team or two take part in the competition. For a start it would mean xtra revenue for State cricket. It would also mean that players would be more fully employed. If as a young cricketer you could see that you could make a living playing cricket would you do that? Sure part of your season woudl be Shield and hopefully international, but the ability to represent your state in the IPL and get paid for it would be an enticing carrot. No CA failed to see this and chose like an Ostrich to stick their heads in the sand and hope that this phase of the game was a fad, something that would fade in time.......when basically all indicators were pointing to the fact that 50 over cricket and test matches were the ones that were failing. Australian white washes of sub-strength opposition do not make good viewing and flat track bullies pummeling mediocre attacks gets a little mundane!
Finally, the actual atmosphere in attending the cricket needs to be addressed. It is too sterile, too pc with over zealous crowd controllers stamping down on the least bit of crowd entertainment. Comparing going to the cricket in Australia with going to the cricket in the UK, the experience is chalk and cheese. I went to the 1st test at Loreds of Ausrtalia v Pakistan.....in accordance with the rules I was able to take in 2 cans of beer (500ml ones) and my picnic hamper of food.....hence I wasn't forced to pay rip off prices for food and drink which mean the £30 per person I paid was offset by being able to fully cater for food and partly cater for beer. Compare that to Australia and ticket prices are nearer double and food and drink prioces mean you often need to extend your credit card limit just to take you family....because lest face it no stadium is going to let you BYO!
AS for the atmosphere itself, again the contrasts are stark. Lords is by far the most conservative of grounds, but even they will let you bash a beach ball around if the game gets a little boring.....even they will allow the crowd to engage in a little banter.
That's my rant, but I think Australian cricket is ill and the people at the top are responsible!
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