The Ashes 2013: Winning - the habit that destroyed Australian cricket

The seeds that Cricket Australia sowed a decade ago, by restructuring the Australian Cricket Academy, have finally come back to haunt them. Since then, they have let Rodney Marsh leave, handed out central contracts to not-so-worthy players, scheduled the Big Bash, sent the young Australians to the finishing school called “the IPL” and have traded the domestic tournaments in pursuit of easy moolah.

They added one more this season – sacking Mickey Arthur two weeks ahead of their most important series in the calendar.

Michael Clarke wasn’t involved in any of these decisions, yet he is the man who has to face the wrath of the nation.

Of course, as a captain, he made mistakes. The “homework-gate” scandal could have been handled better. He should have taken a bigger role in mentoring David Warner. Calling a team-mate a “cancer” wasn’t classy and not promoting himself at number three is a sign of shortsightedness.

However, Clarke’s mistakes are mostly knee-jerk reactions to situations whereas Cricket Australia made bigger ones by rotting the system that once produced class talent. They ignored the evolving cracks in the structure and were too arrogant to accept that there were any flaws because the team was winning.

Suddenly the cracks have opened up and they aren’t winning any more. The flaws have become so prominent that even the class of Clarke can’t veil it any longer. When he scores, the Aussies compete; when he doesn’t, the middle order crumbles like a cookie.

Even the best leaders can’t lead an inept team. A good leader finds the strengths of a team and capitalizes on them to make them efficient. But what if the resources lack in basic skills?

What can Michael Clarke do if Phil Hughes looks lost against spin? What can he possibly say if Shane Watson keeps playing round his legs? How can he stop Ed Cowan fishing outside the off stump?

The Aussie castle is collapsing and as it falls into pieces, Michael Clarke is exposed and lost.

Right now he needs inspiration. The Aussies are going down; they might as well go down swinging. He needs a gang of street fighters, who will skirt the rules and land rabbit punches at the opponent to bring back the series on an even keel, rather than a group of school boys who submit their homework on time.

Can Australia get back to their winning ways and script a fairy tale comeback?

No, they can’t and Australia right now, needs more than winning. With 2-0 up in the series, Australia would be more surprised if England doesn’t inflict a white-wash.

Right now, more than a win, Australia need their swagger back. They need their arrogance back. They need Clarke to get back in form, come up at three and take charge.

They need to get the process in order before they start winning. Getting the house sorted should top the priority list rather than winning because the last time we checked, even “the one” with the Adonis DNA and tiger blood couldn’t handle “Winning!”