Aussies in trouble, need to change and improve performance: SMH

SYDNEY - While captain Ricky Ponting feels that the Australian cricket team retains its positive frame of mind despite a Twenty20 loss and a one-day series loss to Sri Lanka, the view beyond the dressing room is that the team is in trouble, and is being outplayed by their opponents to frequently to remain in a zone of comfort.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Ricky Ponting’s return to the ODI squad for the second match against Sri Lanka made little difference. It also questioned the team management’s decision to demote Xavier Doherty after his five wickets on debut for Nathan Hauritz, and said both Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson were largely ineffectual in the pace department.

“There’s a lot of doom and gloom around about this team and about Australian cricket, I think we all feel a lot more positive inside the dressing room compared to what it looks like from the outside,” insisted Ponting.

He added: “But we can change what it looks like from the outside by starting winning games, we’re all very aware of that.”

The SMH also says that the succession issue threatens to divide the Australian side this winter with newspapers in Australia this week speculating that Clarke’s unpopularity in the dressing room may cost him the job.

“What needs to change first and foremost is performance on the field,” the paper concludes. (ANI)