Australian Cricket - a great kick up the arse for the rest

Anyone who watched Australia turn the 2nd Ashes test against England, in the last day no less, has to be getting closer to Aussie fan-hood, mate. What a game. What a team. Nine wickets and 169 runs in one day. I sat in shock throughout the entire spectacle.

The day opened with Warne spinning rings around the English batsmen. When Pieterson got bowled around his legs attempting a sweep, it was plain to see that Warne was back. He lifted the entire side, his enthusiasm having a visible effect on the more sedate McGrath and Clarke. The English were bundled out like a beggar out of a five start hotel.

The Aussie reply was nothing short of clinical. Langer signalled the Aussie plan of action by hoiking the first ball for four. What followed was pure channelled agression as the Aussies made England the butt of yet another dismal record. England's first innings score was the highest scored by a losing side in a Test match. Flintoff must be scratching his head raw and crying himself to sleep has he reflects on this most resounding displays of Aussie power.

I normally cannot stand Aussie cricket. It is loud, boorish and overly efficient. Aussie batsmen are ugly, all singles ticking over and hubris and its bowlers overly talkative and irritating. Even master craftsmen like Warne and McGrath sully the beauty of their work by excessive appealing and jawing at the batsmen. They dont have a Tendulkar, a de Silva, a Miandad. But they have a team, a unit, a veritable cricketing army. And can they play, oh hell can they play. Australia has delivered a telling warning to all other teams in the build-up for the World Cup. The Superpower can only be beaten with Nuclear Weapons.

Speaking of the World Cup, I feel that Aussie cricket needs another vote of thanks for its fans. While Aussie cricketers force everyone else to lift their game, their rabid fans bring in money by the million. Aussie stadiums are packed to the rafters by fans clamouring to see Australia beat another team black and blue. Their sledging and abusing aside, their money keeps the game's treasuries ticking over with the second most valuable and most commonly spent currency in world cricket (the Aussie dollar is a singularly ugly currency though, a shame). The passion for cricket is alive and well in the Land Down Under, and its a postive sign for the future of the game.

Australia and its fans have set a standard for committment to the game. Lets just hope that our Brown Boys can even compete against the fighting Kangaroos come West Indies 2007.