Continuing my orgy of spreadsheeting debauchery, I decided to map out Australia’s decade in graphical form. And here we go.
And didn’t they do well. It is clear that the mighty Australians piss on all of us from a great height. England’s naughties peak of +18, and India’s current (world-topping) +13 is eclipsed into the toilet by Australia’s current score of +59. Australia peaked on 6 March 2009, with their win at Durban, with a total of 60.Australia’s performance over the decade is marked by continual progress. Not the one step forward one step back pattern of England: Australia stride continually forward.
Interestingly, however, their “decline” is apparent in a recent plateau. Since the end of 2006, they have only increased their score by 10. Whereas, India’s last ten points took nearly four years, they were on +3 in March 2005.
In January 2008, however, Australia were on +58. And since that acrimonious home series against India, their scores has stabilised. Indeed, their total has increased by +1 in this two year period. It dropped to +57 in December 2008 in South Africa.
It appears that they were not the force that they once were. But hats off to them on a top decade: 117 matches and 77 won.
Better than Twickenham.
3 comments:
I don't agree with this. They clearly aren't the same side they were and haven't found replacements for Warne, Gilchrist and McGrath and never will. They are on the downward slide.
lies, damn lies and statistics!
... sigh ... Fred, you are right that Australia are not the side they once were. But I won't have it that we never will be again. It will prbably be after I'm dead, but it will happen again.
It will.
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