It's 1988 all over again
In the Herald Sun , Robert Craddock and Jon Pierik take a detailed look at where Australia’s team is heading
Brydon Coverdale
25-Feb-2013
In the Herald Sun, Robert Craddock and Jon Pierik take a detailed look at where Australia’s team is heading. They also speak to Ian Healy, who sees similarities to the national side he joined in 1988.
Ian Healy watched Australia's painful demise in India a number kept flashing through his head ... 1988. A small part of him was transported back to his first rugged tour to Pakistan. The brutally long days in the field, the painful insecurities of new players - himself included - the grinding burden on an overworked captain. Captain Allan Border was 33 then, just as Ricky Ponting is now.
The sides had promising, but yet-to-fully-blossom, allrounders (Steve Waugh then, Shane Watson now), new keepers (Healy then, Brad Haddin now) and struggling pace attacks. The Pakistan tour, which the home side won 1-0, was a painful experience for all involved but it was also a turning point for a developing side after four sorrowful years because, soon after, Australia decided to identify a group of promising players and stick with them.
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here