SA Footy

Are we really in that bad shape? Before Warne came along what did we have? We had Greg Matthews, Peter Taylor, Tim May Peter Sleep hell we even had Bob Holland playing and he was close to 40 wasn't he (i've missed someone i know). We never had a really good spin bowler. We have been very spoilt by having Warne who is the best bowler i have ever seen. Truly great players come around rarely and truly great spin bowlers even more rarely.

Before Warne who was Australia's last truly great spin bowler? You'd have to go back to Bill "Tiger" O'Reilly. Benaud was good but like Greg Matthews was more value as an allrounder. Basically it has always been about picking the guy in form as no-one other that Warne in my lifetime has commanded a spot. The saddest part of the last 15 years is Stuart MacGill. Any other era he would have been a superstar and would be talked of as one of the great spin bowlers this country has ever seen. Really great spin bowlers don't come around often and perhaps Australia has been unlucky that a guy like MacGill came around when he wasn't really required.

Can Australia continue to be successful without a really great spin bowler? I think we can but i don't think we can be as dominant. Glen McGrath is difficult to replace but Shane Warne is more difficult. In the short term we should be alright with MacGill but once he goes what do we have?? There really isn't an option that stands out. Cullen, Hauritz, Bailey, Heal..... anyone else?? Better off picking four quicks and using Symonds and Clarke as spin options. Bottom line is we are back to where we were before Warne except all other areas ie. batting, fielding and fast bowling, are so much better now we can cope. Having said that bring on another as good as SK Warne and i'll be happier.

Can't have it all our own way all the time Rod, I have seen Aussie cricket at it's best and worst. Remember the dreaded days under Lawry only to see it all revamped under my mate Ian Chappell (I wish), he had it all for him though with his batting lineup and guys like Lillee/Thommo and just an average off spinner by the name of Ashley Mallett. Then he had a keeper that used to like to hit the ball as far as he could just about every ball. Chappelli just molded them togethr as a great side on and off the field. Things were up for a while and then we ended up the easy beats. It took time but eventually Captian Grumpy came along, had some rocky times till all the talent hit at once. we have been on top ever since. If you think you are going to see another Warne in your lifetime you may well be dreaming (unless that is with your healthy lifestyle you live till 150) Benaud an allrounder like Matthews, (hell finally a disagreement), no way known, he was the classic leggie. As for Macgill if he didn't have to hang back in the Warne era goodness knows how many wickets he could have taken, and he still may take a hell of alot more

locky801 wrote:(unless that is with your healthy lifestyle you live till 150)

LMAO

Our days of clear dominance are coming to an end - we will prob still win more games than we will lose but the other teams will close the gap

I worry about the day when Gilly goes in particular

But Warne is clearly the biggest hole to fill and no-one probably will.

In fact I worry about the next generation Aussie team full stop. Where are the stand-out juniors demanding a spot? Why are all our options aged over 27 already?

Now I'll veer off topic .... the next era of dominance I predict to come from India-Pakistan region. As their economy and society enter the second and then the first world (over time) their vast advantage in population and therefore junior participation rates over the rest of the world will finally start to tell.

hondo71 wrote:Our days of clear dominance are coming to an end - we will prob still win more games than we will lose but the other teams will close the gap

I worry about the day when Gilly goes in particular

Haddin will be a more than adequate replacement IMHO