Former West Indies batsman Bryan Davis thinks that Australia, with its strong cricket culture and depth in infrastructure, can regain its place at the top of world cricket within the next two years. The Aussies enjoyed a lengthy streak as the world's number one Test team from the introduction of the current rankings system in June, 2003 until September, 2009, when they lost the Ashes series in England 2-1. Earlier this year they dropped to as low as fifth, but have since climbed one spot. Davis, a cricket administrator at the Queen's Park Cricket Club, said that he expected the team to launch a revival once its new generation of players found their feet.
"Their bowling is definitely not as strong as it once was and even their batting seems brittle," he said. "But Australia is the kind of country that can stage a comeback. Their players have the will to keep fighting and won't give up easily. It might take them another year or two years, but I think they can definitely get back on top." Davis added he was enjoying the current Ashes series Down Under, which is locked at 1-1 in the fourth Test in Melbourne. "It's been a beautiful Test series. I like how the competition is going and it will be very interesting to see how the teams play in Melbourne. England played fantastically in the first two Tests but they might have got complacent in the third. It was a great performance by Australia to fight back and level the series."
Davis said the outcome of the fourth match would rely on the nature of the wicket the groundsmen prepared.
"It's difficult to say who will win. I never make predictions with cricket. The result will depend on the type of pitches they get. If the wicket is turning, then Graeme Swann will play a very important role for England. But I read that they are putting down a grassy wicket instead of a dry one so that might take him out of the equation. If it's a dead wicket it will probably be a draw. I can't see a team taking 20 wickets without some assistance from the pitch."
So far, Davis has been unimpressed with the leadership of captains Andrew Strauss (England) and Ricky Ponting (Australia), but he admitted that he was merely an armchair critic. "You know, I don't think too much of present day captains but it might not be fair of me to judge. It's easier to read plays when you're off of the field. I don't think much of either Strauss or Ponting. I've been a bit disappointed in their tactics on the field but as a senior citizen, I've been paying attention to cricket for much longer than they have."