Silver lining in Waughcloud: Chance for new faces to win spurs

There is the cliche that says, ‘‘All good things must come to an end.’’ But while Stephen sometimes finds inspiration from words, I am certain he does not subscribe to this phrase. His decision has been a difficult and challenging one. It is a decision which most leaders will confront — how long is not long enough, and how long is too long?

One of the outcomes of Stephen’s retirement is the ongoing implementation of succession planning — a concept which all organisations acknowledge, but often find difficult to deliver. While the captaincy is the position that captures everyone’s attention, it is important to realise that Cricket Australia’s administration, selectors and coaching staff are actively looking at this process all the time.

As recently as the TVS Cup in India, Australia had the opportunity (albeit mostly through injury) to look at the depth of back-up players for certain playing positions. Players such as Bracken, Williams, Clarke and, to a lesser extent, Hogg and Kasprowicz (because they have been around the international scene for some time) were placed on the selectors’ list with a ‘highly recommended’ asterisk against their names for the immediate future.

The inclusion in the first Test team of Simon Katich, an Ashes 2001 tourist and most recent replacement for Darren Lehmann in the second Test verses Zimbabwe in October 2003, is an indication from the selectors of the new faces of the ‘next era’ of Australian cricket.

At the same time, Cricket Australia has moved quickly to name Ricky Ponting as Stephen Waugh’s successor. While Ricky’s appointment was expected, the movement of Ricky to vice-captain earlier this year and now his announcement as Australia’s 42nd test captain after this series guarantees that the Australian team culture which Stephen Waugh so richly enhanced, will not be left unattended for one moment!

I believe it is always essential to look to the future, so that there is a clear link between what we are doing today and how that will prepare us for what may lie ahead. By adopting a proactive approach to our planning process, of which succession planning is one element, Cricket Australia has the capacity to, in part, control the future.

With this philosophy as the basis for decision making, I believe Australian cricket results will ‘fly in the face’ of such antiquated thinking on the lines of ‘‘there will always be peaks and troughs’’, that performance is cyclical; and that there will be ‘‘special eras’’.

In dealing with the present, though, India is firmly ensconced in Australia now and hopefully enjoying the hospitality of our climate, hotels, people and facilities. Like all teams, they are spending the lead-up time to the first Test adjusting to a foreign country and all the pleasures and perils that that brings.

It seems evident, from the games against Victoria at the MCG and the Queensland side at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, that India are hoping to have as their top order Chopra, Sehwag, Ramesh, Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman, Ganguly; however, this will leave them quite thin on the bowling front. They have two options — playing two of Chopra, Sehwag and Ramesh; or having Dravid keep, allowing the inclusion of the extra bowler.

From the Australian team perspective all players will be assembled in Brisbane on Monday. Jason Gillespie and Andy Bichel join the last, as they are completing a Pura Cup match in Adelaide where both have had strong games with the ball. Our preparations, which began while in India, will gain more focus on Monday when we have the full Test side together.

The World Cup rugby fever has gone, particularly with England flying off with the William Webb Ellis Trophy, leaving Australian rugby to ponder what might have been.

Tugga’s announcement has been made. Tendulkar is in town. The Indian management, coach and captain are talking positively with a touch of aggressiveness. Ticket sales are strong, at least for the first three days. The lead-up days will be hectic and the expectations will heighten. All the ingredients are here to make this first Test at the Gabba a memorable start to the series. (Gameplan)