God help me - the Test Cricket thread

[Mantis]

You can’t always blame the result on the players that are selected by abilities. Their attitudes are wrong at critical moments. Stark trying the belt the leather off every ball was not a great choice. Smith playing timid at the other end like he was protecting his batting average doesn’t show real leadership. If this was Steve Waugh as the other Steve in this chase, and maybe a late bowling batsman with more composure it was an easy win for us. The bowling was exceptional. It was very good. From a guy with a busted up toe and in hospital the night before. We can’t expect to win purely on past reputation. We lack proper leadership with the bat. When bowlers are on the run with momentum you need a level head to steady the ship. Steve Smith didn’t do this. He didn’t take control of the game the way Stokes, Waugh, Ponting, Border, Kholi and others would have. Don’t even dare state he wasn’t in the same caliber as the guys I have mentioned. His reputation is above what he could really deliver in my opinion. One of the best with the bat as an average in the world needs to show more leadership. The bowling was great. The batting response was one of expecting to win on reputation. Don’t underestimate your opponent. You last win isn’t a measure of your ability. Your last loss is now a measure of your future weakness. Fix it and do it now. Not always by a change in cattle. Maybe by a change in attitude and leadership. Don’t forget what junior group beat you. Not Viv Richards. Not Joel Garner. Not Walsh, Patterson, Lara, Holding, Anderson, Hames, Golmes, Lloyd but a junior list that is on the rise. It might not be a bad way to reconstruct the Australian squad. Look at a few that haven’t had the opportunity to be in the squad as young fellas. Otherwise rebuild the mental leadership. This was not an oops. This was what I would see as a wake up call. Our reputation is higher than our actual ability. The squad needs to learn how to switch momentum. How to be composed. I won’t question our captain but I am not sure he is what is best for this squad. Only my opinion.