Triumph in intense professionalism in cricket

All’s well that ends well. Who knows this better than Australians? That's why they were not worried at all about the bad start in this year's Cricket World Cup. The word 'impossible' doesn't exist in their dictionary, no matter how tough or daunting the target may be. Australians wholeheartedly believe that “The sun laughs through the clouds.” They never crumble under adverse conditions. The way they played on Indian soil, hitting sixes, is a testament to their resilience. The comparison with a conquering hero perfectly fits the Australians.

However, even before the start of the Cricket World Cup, there were various crises in the team. Injuries make it difficult to build a team. The repercussions of this can be seen in the first two matches, resulting in losses to India and South Africa. Such setbacks are not unfamiliar to Aussie. However, they do not let these defeats shatter their confidence. After such a setback, they proceed cautiously, steadily regaining their composure. They do not rush to recover, taking their time to rebuild. They move forward with calculated steps, overcoming obstacles one by one. Despite the brilliance of their game, there lies a deeper professionalism in their approach. This is acquired through a combination of their national, geographical, social, and economic perspectives. Australian cricket has a rich history. There is a strong, competitive and established system of regional cricket, which produces world-class cricketers.

Australia's sporting culture deeply engages the citizens of the country. A stringent regime is followed in promoting a robust sports culture, involving substantial investments for the development of sporting facilities. Their climate is highly conducive to outdoor sports, and despite a relatively lower population density, they have excelled in sports like rugby, hockey, and tennis. However, as cricket is a national sport, its popularity is very high. At the international level, Australia has achieved significant success, with the prestigious “Sheffield Shield” playing a crucial role behind this triumph. In this highly competitive tournament, only six state teams participate, making it the most formidable domestic competition. The matches, based on a double round-robin league, intensify the rivalry between various teams and players. Players who come up amid intense rivalry, strategic battles, and robust management between different teams and players, do not have to gain much momentum at the international level.

The Australian Cricket Academy was established in the late eighties. Many cricketers came up through this academy. Its first director was former international cricketer Rodney Marsh. He is extremely skilled in identifying and nurturing talented cricketers. Through his guidance, notable players such as Adam Gilchrist, Jason Gillespie, and Brett Lee emerged, making significant contributions to the cricketing world. However, among the cricketers of this academy there are many cricketers like Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, Michael Bevan, Glenn McGrath, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Michael Slater, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, who have been shining the face of the country for a long time. The academy continues to nurture future generations of cricketers.

Australia has established its domestic cricket as a breeding ground for national team players. As the first country Australia introduce a central contract system for players. As a result, cricketers are no longer dependent on first-class cricket to earn money. To avoid overburdening fast bowlers with additional workload, permission to play county cricket is not granted. But batsmen are encouraged to play county cricket to gain experience. They are very strategic in making decisions.

Wearing the 'Baggy Green' cap, an emblem of immense pride for Australians, is considered a monumental achievement. Securing a place in the national team is a highly challenging feat, as the cap is not easily bestowed. The selection policy is rigorous, at times ruthless, and can be contentious in certain scenarios. Historical performances or sentiments rarely influence player or team selection. The primary and final criterion is a player's form. The best Aussie XI is always seen on the cricket field for this reason.

Australia does not have a huge talent pool for cricket like some other countries. So they have to be careful not to waste their talent. The Australian selectors and coaching staff do not hesitate to take care to ensure that the shortlisted players have what it takes to succeed. They work diligently to ensure that highlighted cricketers fulfill their potential, demonstrating the selectors' careful approach to securing success.

These cricketers face exclusion from the team if they fail to perform. However, it is important to communicate what they are doing wrong and how to rectify it, ensuring they can make a comeback. At least, it is ensured that experienced players hold value in the Australian team.
Selectors strive to eliminate insecurity among players and foster a positive team spirit at the national level. Despite age, players are not easily excluded. In the current 16-member Australian squad, 11 players have surpassed the 30-year mark. The most senior member, David Warner, has been the top run-scorer for the team in the World Cup. Successful batsmen include Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, and Steve Smith. Experienced bowlers have also achieved success. This indicates that being senior or experienced ensures a place in the Australian team. In this context, selectors show no inclination to make exceptions.

Australia's two most successful batsmen in the 1999 World Cup were Steve and Mark Waugh. Azira won the championship under the captaincy of Steve Waugh. As a batsman he has also shown extraordinary performance. Among the top four run-scorers in the World Cup, the Waugh brothers were prominent, with both securing the highest runs. His leadership in the breathtaking match against South Africa is memorable; Despite this, the Waugh brothers were ruled out of Australia's plans for the 2003 World Cup. That is, there is no room for emotionalism on this matter; stern pragmatism takes precedence. Australia believes in the principle that teams are bigger than individuals. However, when a player retires, efforts are made to explore better alternatives for them. And because of this, despite all the odds of winning the title, India, the favorite and the host team, had to lose to professionalism.

This year's Australian team did not have many star players compared to the Indian team. Even without a Virat Kohli or Mohammed Shami, there was no problem in taking the seat on the throne of excellence. Despite not being superstars, they have contributed surprisingly to the team's success in most cases. In different matches, players like Adam Zampa, David Warner, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, along with Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, James Cummins, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith, have made noteworthy contributions. The team benefits from having several versatile all-rounders, making winning the World Cup relatively straightforward. Even the bowlers have played a role with the bat, further enriching their overall contribution.

Australian cricketers exhibit a tradition of both physical prowess and mental resilience. Their remarkable ability to emerge stronger in challenging situations is deeply ingrained. Australians never abandon a fighting spirit, maintaining an aggressive approach on the field—a characteristic integral to their cricketing ethos. This unwavering mindset contributes to their dominance in the cricketing realm. Achieving such excellence has been the result of long-standing efforts and dedication. In order to strengthen their position in cricket, Bangladesh has no choice but to be initiated in the same way.

Author: Editor, Fortnightly Sports Magazine Krirajagat