Australia’s tour of Bangladesh : Is it necessary? | Cricket,Internet, Business-share anyhting you like

You may criticise Australian cricketers but put yourselves in their shoes. They toured England to play England and Ireland in one-day internationals (ODIs) last June-July. Then they took on Pakistan in a two-Test drawn series in July in England.

Rather than play Sheffield Shield matches to get ready for the all-important Ashes, they toured India last October and lost the Test series 0-2 and ODIs 0-1.

Then they played five gruelling Ashes Tests from November 2010 to January 2011, losing 1-3 followed by seven one-dayers against England this January-February.

This was soon followed by the Cricket World Cup (CWC) in the Indian subcontinent which seemed to go on forever from mid-February to early April.

True, Australia's performances in the Ashes Test series and in the CWC were disappointing. The only bright spot was their 6-1 win in the ODIs against England.

I realise that not only Australian cricketers have this heavy schedule. Also, they are professionals who are paid very handsomely.

But why this surfeit of internationals? Why did Australia have to tour England to play Pakistan and then India late last year? I know, I know, they were committed to play Pakistan on a neutral venue because of security reasons.

But would not playing endless cricket almost 24/7/52/365 rob you of enthusiasm? Especially when you are losing? There is hardly any time to take stock. As the ad for motorists say, "Relax, revive, survive", or something on those lines.

We are virtually falling asleep on the steering wheel. And nobody seems to care.

A few months at home with their family away from international cricket would give them their zoom-zoom back.

It seems Aussie cricketers are going through the motions. Ho-hum, another match! When is it? That soon, oh no! A day at the office, really.

Tell me what good is the Bangladesh visit going to do to Michael Clarke's men? If they win, we will say, "Big deal beating ninth ranked Bangladeshis."

If they lose, "Pup" Clarke will be condemned with editorials screaming, "We warned you he will be no good."

Australians have started the tour well with a convincing 90 run victory over Bangladesh Cricket Board XI. The highlight was useful fifties from Brad Haddin, Ricky Ponting, Clarke and Michael Hussey, as also a hat-trick by John Hastings. But what does this win mean?

Whatever the result of the three ODI series starting on Saturday, this tour is a no-win situation for the Aussies with deep fatigue syndrome.

Article source: http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/04/08/is-australias-tour-of-bangladesh-necessary/

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