Andrew Strauss and Michael Clarke are worlds apart

Hitting back: Michael Clarke is starting to stamp his authority on Australia but still faces tough times ahead
10 April 2012

Four years ago, it was inconceivable that any battle for world supremacy in Test cricket would take place without Australia as one of the combatants.

Yet as England and India prepare to begin a series that will determine who holds the top spot at the end of August, the Aussies are struggling even to make the podium.

The last memory most England ­supporters will have of Australia will be the dejected and defeated bunch of cricketers who were watching their opponents celebrate the innings ­victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January that sealed an impressive 3-1 series win - England's first Down Under since 1987.

After the team were eliminated by India in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, Ricky Ponting stepped down as skipper and Michael Clarke took the job for Tests and one-day games.

From next month, Clarke will face the first serious test of his captaincy when he leads the team on a tour of Sri Lanka. After that, they go to South Africa and then prepare for a home series against India.

Much as it was a delight for England fans to watch their team thump Australia in three Tests during the winter, wouldn't it be wonderful if, when the Aussies arrive for the 2013 Ashes, the teams are first and second in the International Cricket Council rankings.

At this stage, that looks harder to achieve for Clarke than it does for Andrew Strauss.

When Australia were at their peak, there was a raft of cricketers below their first-choice side who would have been guaranteed a spot in most other international teams.

Stuart MacGill was a prodigious spinner of the ball but had the ill luck to grow up in the same period as the legendary Shane Warne.

Darren Lehmann, a powerful left-hander who was prolific in both Sheffield Shield and county cricket, had to wait until he was 28 to make his Test debut and played only 26 more times thereafter. Even Mike Hussey, who averages 51 in Tests, was 30 when he was given his first Baggy Green.

How different it appears now. Those who understand Australian cricket well believe there will be few changes to the Test squad for Sri Lanka - despite the Ashes humiliation six months ago and the steady decline that preceded it which pushed the Aussies down to fifth in the world rankings.

Simon Katich was controversially discarded by Cricket Australia from their roster of 25 contracted players, yet many of the top six who played at Sydney, when Katich was absent due to an Achilles injury, could easily remain. Ponting was also injured for that game and will return, in place of either Usman Khawaja or Steve Smith.

Phil Hughes is likely to be retained as Shane Watson's opening partner because he has displayed excellent form since the Ashes. The other strong contenders who could figure are Callum Ferguson and Shaun Marsh, the son of former Australian opener Geoff Marsh. Ferguson has impressed in one-day internationals since his debut in 2009 but has yet to feature in Tests, while Marsh's stock with the selectors is thought to be rising because of his ability to bat in a number of different positions.

The selectors should keep faith with Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle within the bowling attack, along with the fit-again Ryan Harris.

The most promising young seamers at the moment are 21-year-old Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson, who is also 21. Australia have a tour of South Africa later in the year and Pattinson, in the one-day squad for the tour of Sri Lanka, might even be held back for the Tests there.

Yet Clarke represents the most intriguing aspect of what Australia hope will be the start of their cricketing revival.

There are parallels between the 30-year-old and Alastair Cook: both players were identified as future leaders at an early stage but both struggled to convince a sceptical cricketing public that they had the attributes to be an outstanding captain.

Clarke, in particular, was viewed with suspicion by some in Australia because his love of fashion and fast cars did not suit the blokeish image of the traditional Aussie sportsman.

His persistent back problems are also a cause for concern but his talent as a batsman, despite lean periods, is beyond question.

Clarke is also beginning to stamp his authority on the squad.

Former Test wicketkeeper Steve Rixon is the new fielding coach, a move that Clarke hopes will add a ruthless edge to his group. Craig McDermott has taken over as bowling coach and at least one senior Australian cricketer approves.

Brett Lee no longer plays Tests but remains a part of the one-day set-up. During a recent training camp in Brisbane, the fast bowler said: "I haven't seen the Australian cricket team be this energetic for a long time. The inclusion of Steve Rixon has breathed new life into the set-up.

"It's almost like we're on a different level now, with Craig McDermott coming on as the full-time bowling coach. It has been quality, rather than quantity. It's about being consummate professionals and that's something McDermott was always known for.

"If you've got guys just turning up and not doing what they should be, you're not going to improve. However, if you've got someone who wants to show you things and take you down a different path, then it will enhance you."

A new regime usually promotes plenty of initial enthusiasm among players and it will be interesting to see if Clarke's ideas pay off during the next 12 months. If they do, though, what an Ashes series it could be in 2013.

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