History repeats - in economics, in politics and yes, in the cricket too. The way the absence of Denis Lily, Chapel or Marsh cost the quality of the Aussie team years back, the same way the absence of McGrath, Shane Warne, Gilchrist and now Hayden is going to affect the Australian team’s performance in the upcoming days. And that places India in a rather advantageous position. Officially still they are the number one, but for how long? South Africa has been superb in the recent series, the gap between India and Australia is diminishing fast. And now that Hayden has said good bye to international cricket, India gets even closer to the top slot.

The bad days of Aussie bowling started with the exit of Warne and McGrath and no alternative bowling attack is in place yet. To add to the Australian team’s woes, Bret Lee is not in form. Hayden single handedly worked to fill up the void, created with the absence of Gilchrist. Hayden’s aggressive approach will be grossly missed by Australian team in the upcoming cricket series. The unparallel pairing of Hayden-Gilchrist; that wrote so many Australian success stories will be grossly missed too. With Langer away from team, it is now a big question for Australia as to who would open the batting with Simon Katich.

Hayden’s quit only worsened the situation for Australian team already facing so many hurdles and this is what the Indian players are likely to gain from. Time and again it was Hayden, who came in the way of India’s success; Ponting and Hayden partnership has been something that Indian bowlers always dreaded. In fact, some even - with whom Cricket360 is in full agreement - goes to the extent of attributing India’s 2-0 series win to Hayden’s failure with bat. On his day, Hayden could throw any bowler off the guard - pacer or spinner. Hayden will not be there and that is definitely a good news for Zaheer or Ishant and the team India as a whole.

Every team - whatever mighty - has to ride the cycle of success and failure and it seems, present Australia team without some of its ardent soldiers is going to touch the bottom point of the cycle. It is evident that Aussies would need time to regain its position in the international cricket. But in the mean time which team is going to grab the top slot? No doubt Dhoni’s team has strong potentials; but Smith’s South Africa is not less deserving.

Let’s see who steps into the Aussie shoes! Cricket360’s best wishes for both Dhoni and Smith.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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