BERRY’S BACK!
THE new-look Australian cricket team starts a big job tomorrow in the UAE.
First and foremost, it must rebuild our faith and trust as a sporting team, after the horrific events of Cape Town this year.
The team has lost its best batsmen, who was also the captain, the vice-captain, his opening batting partner, the head coach and, recently, its chief executive officer.
It’s fair to say it is a big changing of the guard.
Still months on, it is hard to digest what took place that fateful afternoon at Newlands.
The stain it has left on Australian cricket will linger, much in the same manner the underarm incident did all those years ago.
This incident was far worse as it was premeditated and calculated.
Cheating is the most heinous crime on the sporting field and it is something the people involved — and all of us as a country — will sadly have to live with forever.
Justin Langer — a tough, uncompromising man — has been installed to lead the change.
The head coach must always set the standards, drive the culture and be held responsible for the actions of the team he leads.
Langer will do exactly that and I have full faith in time the momentum will shift.
The players had been given far too much freedom in recent times. In a world of political correctness, nobody was prepared to challenge the out-of-control behaviours of some of the playing group.
The tail had been wagging the dog for too long and the culmination was catastrophic.
On field, Tasmanian Tim Paine now has the reins, the gloves and the hopes of a nation in his hands.
It is a big job and he will need strong lieutenants around him.
New vice-captains Mitch Marsh (a Langer disciple) and salt-of-the-earth country boy Josh Hazlewood are sound appointments.
Nathan Lyon was unlucky, in my opinion, to be overlooked given his experience and consistency as a player, but, more importantly, as a respected team member.
In Hazlewood’s absence in the UAE, Lyon will be important.
This group must be strong in what they stand for, as plenty of heat and scrutiny will come their way this summer and even more so when the 12-month ban is lifted on Steve Smith and David Warner.
Their reintroduction to the team will be a delicate situation, as the World Cup looms in the middle of next year.
Neither player should be allowed a position of leadership moving forward, but will always be senior figures if and when they return to the dressing room.
The penalty in some people’s eyes was harsh and in others too lenient. I feel it was about right. They did the crime and must do their time.
Colac boy Aaron Finch, who has been in scintillating white-ball form in recent years, heads the new group of players.
Finch won his place on the back of this rich vein of batting form.
It is no secret that question marks have always arisen about his technique in the longer format, however I believe his maturity and experience now has him ideally placed to make his mark as a lateblooming Test player.
Finch must stay true to his natural game and play with the freedom that makes him such a special player, no matter where he bats in the order.
The UAE conditions are usually very flat batting wickets — he could not have wished for a better venue to make his muchanticipated debut.
Travis Head will also make his debut in a reshaped batting line-up. As a former coach of his, I am not surprised this day has arrived.
The pugnacious mollydooker is certainly made of the right stuff and no doubt Langer has identified this in the South Australian.
He reminds me a lot of Allan Border. I have no doubt he will be successful and do not be surprised if he is the next long-term captain when Paine’s time comes to an end.
Langer will shape and mould Head in readiness for that opportunity.
The frontline bowling line-up is injured, but will regain spearhead Mitch Starc, who will carry a big responsibility into these two test matches.
It appears another debutant, Michael Neser, originally of South African heritage, may edge out warhorse Peter Siddle as Starc’s new ball partner.
Neser is a big-hearted Queenslander, much in the mould of former raging bull Andy Bichel.
When the going gets tough, he will not let you down. He is as tough as they come and another Langer blueprint selection in this new line-up.
It is pretty obvious already that Langer will select men of character and integrity.
He will demand high standards and “character over cover drive” will be his motto.
Players will know exactly where they stand and will play the game hard but respectfully and always fair.
He will fly the Australian flag proudly and I am looking forward to watching the rebuilding of our cricket team from the inside to out.