Congratulations to England on retaining the Ashes. The first such victory in Australia for 24 yrs. So what of Australia? Was Perth the last gasp of a dying man? Did they flatter to deceive? Let me say at the outset Congratulations Ricky Ponting on a distinguished career. I would to see him stand down as captain, but remain as a batsman. Clarke does not possess the metal to be captain. I have never seen the utter poverty of leadership talent in Aussie cricket team Even in the dismal days of Packer Pyjamas Pantechnicon days of cricket the Aussie National team called back agreat icon of the game, Bob Simpson, to be our captain. And then Graham Yallop, Kim Hughes, and then Alan Border with guts, guile, and talent led us out of the wilderness.
Cricket today is a very different proposition. Not only do we have test cricket, we have ODIs and 20/20s. To my way of thinking there is very resemblance between these games. And then PRESENT RULERS of cricket have the IPL.
To me cricket is TEST CRICKET, the five version that is a metaphor for life. The others are BREAD and CIRCUSES. If australia is to compete in these extravagansas there should separate teams and captains, so as to avoid the danger of CONTAMINATION
