Failing the Spin test: teams like Australia, England and New Zealand make quick exit

Failing the Spin test: teams like Australia, England and New Zealand make quick exit

The World T20 is at its business end now, the league matches are done and we have the four best teams in India, West Indies, South Africa and Sri Lanka. These teams will fight it out in the semi finals and the winners would play each other for the title of world TT champs 2014. The bigger teams that travelled thousands of nautical miles to land in Bangladesh have already started their return journeys; they failed the spin test they were put under teams like Australia, England and New Zealand make quick exit.

Bangladesh hosting the world cup was significant; one the home team which is otherwise considered weak can make it count, with favorable conditions, two the teams out of the sub-continent would suffer. The ball was always going to spin, the due was going to trouble the team bowling second, and the Asian teams would dominate. A few predictions that eventually turned up true.

Teams like Netherlands which is usually not considered a tough call emerged a real dark horse this time, first making it to the main draws with an unbelievable victory setting many world records. They almost upset South Africa who was saved from embracement by express pace of Dale Steyn, who was exceptional. Sri Lanka too found themselves in tough and testing situation against Netherlands.

Australia came in with a squad which had a few selection issues already; too much emphasis was given on T20 league performances to international. Player’s like a Brad Hogde, Brad Hogg and Doug Bollinger were included and could not justify their inclusion. The team looked fatigued, old, weathering and out of order.

The losses they suffered in the three games were more of psychological weakness than cricketing flaws. Team did not look a unit representing their country, the vibe, the enthusiasm, the will was missing. Individuals on their own tried to do things out of their caliber to achieve. A team game needs effort from the entire team to win it, is the reason for their consecutive losses before the soothing victory over Bangladesh who were never a threat.

England who under Stuart Broad has even won the World Cup once suffered this time; they could not pick a team with the right balance. The bowling department was inefficient to stop the opponent and batsmen could not score. Wickets were given away as gifts and matches lost as they did not count. If you perform the way they have, one would question their credentials as T20 champions which they were.

New Zealand too were disappointing, never quite into the tournament they looked in a hurry to take a flight back home. Players did not look to get in adjust themselves to the changed conditions, adapt their game accordingly. A shot that can easily fetch you a six in New Zealand might not even reach the boundary here. The pitch is slower, the bounce is soft and distance to be covered is larger.

To sum it up and find a reason for their collective failure could be there in ability to play on slow, turning pitches, where the ball does something, does not come on to the bat that nicely and run making requires the skill and application.

The Asian teams are termed to be bullies at home and wet cats overseas so are the teams which play on fast, bouncy green wickets. They can bundle up visitors quite easily but are prone to similar treatment when they travel abroad. Teams need to develop versatility to overcome such skill flaws only then would cricket be accepted globally as a universal game.