I just dont think(like the West Indies) that they have the know how to get out of this mess though. Quality players like Warne have retired and they knew that was happening. These players are hard to replace I know but 2 years on or so they have gone from a great side to a very average side.
The players that have come in are not good enough and top players like Pointing are not producing. Plus cricket over there isnt their number 1 sport no more.
I see West Indies being a stronger force than them soon and Aussies will take another 5-10 years(yes that long) to get back to anywhere near they used to be.
The ashes might as well stay with us and that no joke.
Its true what you say that the players that have come in haven't been good enough, but I think we've realised that now, hopefully we realise that now. Our problem has been a defensive mindset when selecting players. Hauritz over Krezja was a defensive pick, North over a young up and comer was a defensive pick. Trying to cling on which clearly failed. Its what bringing Katich back over letting Hughes develop will be.
The difference between us and the West Indies is that we have cricket academies and institutes of sport. We have money in the game and a good domestic competition. Too strong in fact. Some teams are too focused on winning rather than producing good young players. New South Wales have done well not to do that recently. Young Vic Alex Keath was actually poached from an AFL club this year so I think cricket will still be able to draw appeal to the youngsters, it pays better than AFL does.
I think we'll be ok as long as we think long term and be patient.
