A shot at redemption for Australia
The Australian cricket team’s repeated run-ins with opponents on the field have lead Mike Coward to believe that though the side is keen to dish out verbal aggression with interest, they are incapable of handling stick from opponents
Nitin Sundar
25-Feb-2013
The Australian cricket team’s repeated run-ins with opponents on the field have lead Mike Coward to believe that though the side is keen to dish out verbal aggression with interest, they are incapable of handling stick from opponents. Writing in the Australian, Coward believes that the historically significant series against Pakistan offers Australia a shot at redeeming their reputation, provided they carry themselves in a “civil and thoughtful manner”.
The very moment they are challenged they lash out. It is an ugly look and even ardent supporters are unhappy. The Australians need to realise that at a time of evolution they will be challenged more often than ever was the case when Messrs Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist, Hayden, Langer and company were on hand. It is a different time and they must make some accommodation. They need to think and behave differently. It is to be earnestly hoped that Ponting, coach Tim Nielsen and manager Steve Bernard have pointed this out in the strongest possible terms.
Nitin Sundar is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo