S Thawfeeq: Aussies yet to prove they're the best in Tests (12 Sep 1997)

Friday 12 September 1997

Aussies yet to prove they're the best in Tests

By SA'ADI THAWFEEQ

Former Australian wicket-keeper/batsman Rod Marsh said that Australia is not the best Test-playing nation in the world today.

Australia claimed the right to the title as unofficial Test champions when they ended West Indies's lengthy supremacy in 1994-95 when they won the four-Test series in the Caribbean by 2-1 (1 drawn).

Since then, Australia led by Mark Taylor, has gone from strength to strength beating Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies at home, and South Africa and England away, to be ranked the best Test-playing nation by Wisden World Championships, a system adopted by Wisden Cricketers' Almanack editor Mathew Engel last October.

"Australia really have to prove themselves consistently in this part of the world,'' said Marsh.

"They have to beat Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan at home in the subcontinent which they have not done, to be rated true world champions,'' said Marsh, who is presently in Sri Lanka as the manager of the touring Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy (CBCA) team.

Since beating West Indies in the Caribbean, Australia have played only a one-off Test in India in 1996-97 and lost it. They have yet to play a Test or series of Tests in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Also, Australia have not won a Test nor a series in Pakistan for the past 38 years and in India, for the last 28 years.

"The West Indies were the true world champions because they went through a ridiculous amount of time like 29 series and 15 years without losing a series,'' said Marsh. Marsh turns 50

Marsh, who will turn 50 on November 11, represented Australia in 96 Tests and holds the world Test record for the most number of dismissals in a career with 355 (343 ct, 12 st). Of the 343 catches, 95 were taken off fast bowler Dennis Lillee which is also a world record.

Marsh survived a baptism of fire (being dubbed `Iron Gloves' when he dropped many catches at the beginning of his career) to become one of Australia's finest wicket-keeper/batsmen. He became a regular member of Ian Chappell's successful Australian side and made 3633 runs (avg. 26.51) with three centuries as a left-hand late-order batsman.

The former Western Australian, also represented his country in 91 one-day matches scoring 1220 runs (avg. 20.33) and affecting 123 dismissals (119 ct, 4 st). Last visit

Marsh came to Sri Lanka with the last academy side in 1993 and since then and now, he said there was a vast difference in the standard of cricket in Sri Lanka, especially with the senior side.

"Your top team has taken all before them, winners of the World Cup and playing very well in Test match cricket. Sri Lanka cricket has gone forward,'' said Marsh.

"What's more, it has been very attractive and positive cricket that Sri Lanka play. I think the players must be enjoying themselves,'' he said.

The bottom line to success, according to Marsh, is to enjoy the cricket.

"Even though cricket is a profession, it is still a game. The game has to be enjoyed. A lot of things follow from that. If the people are entertained, you can guarantee the entertainers are enjoying themselves. If they enjoy themselves, they can last in the game a lot longer,'' said Marsh, who is in his seventh year as the head coach of the Australian Cricket Academy. World power

The academy, a program of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) was begun in 1988, with the goal of establishing Australia as a power in world cricket.

Today, the academy can already boast of 13 Australian Test players among its scholars (Shane Warne, Damien Martyn, Justin Langer, Brendon Julian, Michael Slater, Glenn McGrath, Michael Bevan, Greg Blewett, Peter McIntyre, Stuart Law, Ricky Ponting, Michael Kasprowicz, Jason Gillespie) and a further two who have played one-day internationals (Shane Lee, Adam Gilchrist).

Three more players (Martin McCague, Craig White, Jason Gallian) have gone on to represent England in Test matches after deciding to take up residency in the UK. Achieved goals

The academy has achieved its stated goals so impressively that a number of other cricket nations around the world have since moved to copy its methodology and operations, notably New Zealand and South Africa.

Over the last two years, the academy has opened its doors to visitors from other countries wishing to observe its techniques. Players from other countries have been welcomed to use its facilities on the basis, the overall strength of the game around the world will be improved.

One of the salient features the academy teaches its scholars apart from the modern coaching theory, is the media training, which one believes should be adopted in Sri Lanka as well.

The scholars are provided with media training, public speaking and a variety of professional advice at the academy, so that, as players of the future, they will present a good image and communicate well.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)