There is no denying the fact that Australia is sporting a ‘different’ look. The entire nation, I mean. After a first ball bouncer by Mitchell Johnson hit Kohli on his helmet on Thursday, the entire Australian team rallied around the Indian to find out if everything was ok. In particular, Johnson spotted the look of guilt and fear, and it took him minutes, and a lot of pep talk to get back into the groove. The Australians are displaying uncharacteristic fear and concern, which has never happened before. Is Hughes death having more effects than meets the eye?
Perhaps, yes. The world has never really witnessed an emotional Australian team ever. They’re always chirpy, talking the talk, walking the walk and eager for an action-packed match. They’ve never shied away from intimidating their opposition, trying to chinch every match, by hook, or by crook. I mean, this is the Australian side that resorted to ‘unfair’ means in the Sydney Test against India in 2008. That’s when the then-skipper Anil Kumble was very famously quoted saying, “Only one team was playing in the spirit of the game,†reflecting the Aussie mindset.Â
The Australians have never been apprehensive about using any kind of tactic to scare and annoy the opposition. One trick up their sleeve has always been bodyline bowling, which is difficult to see off without losing your wicket, and your head. That’s their cricketing tool though. They are more recognised to possess another one, the one that they employ to execute their mind game – the verbal sledging, which can range from personal abusing, to cussing to plain threatening. The world has accepted the Australians that way, and opposition teams even have camps to understand how to deal with all that banter, with a pinch of salt, of course.
Which is why, when the Australian team has begun to wear the garbs of a loving mother, it just doesn’t seem to sink in. A Michael Clarke breaking down in front of a million eye-balls, the Aussies calling each other ‘little brothers’, the team claiming it is in no position to play, Cricket Australia actually rescheduling the itinerary to help players ‘recover’ - all this doesn’t seem to suit the Australian cricketing nature.
No offense, but the whole Australian cricketing scene has undergone a tragic transformation ever since Hughes passed away. Every single achievement is now being dedicated to him. No eye is dry. There’s a lot of concern in the Aussies now, especially when the deadly bouncer makes a dreaded appearance. There’s fear, there’s apprehension, there’s concern, and most importantly, there’s guilt – about using the same tool that they had always used, as their birthright to flick the game in their favour.
The bouncer is no stranger for Johnson. I mean, it is his strength; it USED TO be his strength, to be honest. The Australians are looking meeker, more intimidated than intimidating, and honestly, that’s scary. Perhaps, Hughes death is having undercurrents and ripples that are not really visible to the naked eye. The Australians need to gather themselves, take some time off, especially since the World Cup is just around the corner. They need to come back as themselves and play the fiery brand of cricket they have always been known for. That’s the best way they can let Hughes be alive, in all his glory.
We don’t like the Australian team this way. It’s far better when they are in their real characters.