What state is cricket in after the World Cup

Australian Cricket stands head and shoulders above any other cricketing nation, but will this dominance continue and if so, for how long? How are the other nations shaping up after a two month long tournament?

On an off the field, the 2007 Cricket World Cup has been plagued with controversy that could blacken the sport. The off-field dramas including the ticketing prices, the length of the tournament, the death of Pakistani Coach Bob Woolmer have stolen the headlines from the game of cricket itself.

This world cup will be marked as a changing of the guard, as a number of coaches are retiring, key players, legends of the game, marred with turmoil and controversy leaving a rather bitter taste in the ICC’s mouths.

Was the tournament too long and why did the cricket not live up to everyone’s general expectations?

Australia are to take full credit and much of the attention of this world cup as noted above has been on ‘other dramas’. They totally and utterly desimated every opponent with class and charisma. Every player stood up and was counted for in same way, shape or form.

Matthew Hayden’s domination was matched by Glenn McGrath’s pure genius ability to bowl and leave the game on top of the world as player of the tournament.

With John Buchnanan retiring as Australian Coach, a change of the guard will take place as Tim Neilson steps into the role.

McGrath has a long list of replacements ready to take his place including the returning Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus. All are more than capable to add depth to Australia’s bowling but will have enormous shoes to fill.

Nathan Bracken and Shaun Tait have stood up and are to be credited for the excellent bowling in this cup and Bradley Hogg, likewise.

At the next World Cup Australia will not have the likes of McGrath, Hayden, Adam Gilchrist or Brad Hogg. So consider this as a possible team to compete in the 2011 world cup:

Brad Hodge
Michael Hussey
Ricky Ponting
Michael Clarke
Andrew Symonds
Brad Haddin
Adam Voges
Brett Lee
Nathan Bracken
Ben Hilfenhaus
Shaun Tait
Also: Mitchell Johnson, Shane Watson, Dan Cullen, Stuart Clark

Note that there is no front-line spinner in this attack as there is also no Shane Watson. I have preferred to go with four genuine pace bowlers spearheaded by Tait and Lee with the added advantage of Bracken and Hilfenhaus. To fill the last quota Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke, Adam Voges and Brad Hodge can become the part-time spinners, giving Australia more balance and variety in their attack.

The batting is equally impressive with depth as the powerful and promising Adam Voges at number seven behind Brad Haddin.

Australia should continue to dominate but their opponents are starting to build. If England can sort themselves out, they have a promising team in the making.

Likewise Sri Lanka, South Africa and Pakistan.

New Zealand will go through some more tough times with the retirements of Stephen Fleming and Shane Bond imminent and will probably occur before 2011.

India are all out of sorts again as they cannot choose eleven players yet alone an administration that supports both players and coaching staff. They need bowlers for a start and confidence.

Too much is asked of Indian Cricket and lives (as we saw with Woolmer) are placed on the line for success or failure.

Who would want to coach a cricket team after this year’s world cup or even become an administrator?

Let’s get on with playing the game of cricket and keep the bitching politics off the headlines and more of the on-field success taking credit for the game of cricket.