Australia in 2015 - The Year in Review

2015 - The Year that has been

"I think any time you lose an Ashes series, especially with the hype and build-up surrounding it and the pride we have as Australians playing against England, that's always hard to take," Ricky Ponting, former Australia skipper, had said putting into perspective the importance of the historic series.

If Australia's disastrous England tour isn't to be taken into consideration, they lost just a solitary match a one-wicket defeat against New Zealand during the World Cup in eight Tests and 15 One-Day Internationals (ODI) in 2015. For a team that was in transition when the year started and continues to be in one as it ends, the numbers aren't as bad, if not seen through the lens of the achievements of its predecessors.

Emotional beginning

Australia were still recovering from the untimely demise of Phillip Hughes, when the traditional New Year Test was played at Sydney, the venue of the tragic incident. The murmurs were still heard, the tributes were still pouring in. The black armbands which were worn by the Australians starting from the first Test, remained intact. As the game progressed, David Warner, on reaching 63, went down on his knees and kissed the grass at the end where Hughes fell after suffering the blow on his head.

At the end, with the match finishing in a draw only for the second time in 20 years at Sydney - and the four-match series going in Australia's favour, Michael Clarke dedicated the win to 'little brother' Hughes.

Pre-World Cup

With David Warner and Steve Smith in top form, the other players in the side had little to do as Australia crushed a below-par India and England in the Carlton Mid tri-series. However, with skipper Michael Clarke choosing to rest his injured back ahead of the World Cup, the question was who would have to sit out when the captain returns?

World Cup victory

Even as Australia were one of the favourites to lift the trophy, they didn't possess the aura of invincibility that had surrounded them during their previous two successful campaigns. South Africa and New Zealand were in top form. If the group stages provided any indication of things to come, India too joined the fray as one of the title favourites.

In the group stage clash against co-hosts New Zealand, Australia were outplayed for most parts of the match, even as the final result reflected a one-wicket defeat. However, as their campaign progressed, they muscled every side into submission with ease. A long list of power-hitters and all-rounders held them in great advantage. It offered them balance which was well used and executed to dominate their opponents. Clarke's return led to George Bailey, the stand-in-skipper, to sit out of the Playing XI after scoring a half-century.

The final against New Zealand, which promised a thriller, proved to be an anti-climax as Australia beat them by seven wickets. The victory gave Clarke's aggressive brand of captaincy a testimony of greatness.

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust.If Jimmy don't get you, Broad must.

There was little wrong Australia had done till they reached the English shores. After a successful World Cup and a series win in West Indies, the team from Down Under where in top form. A few niggles and injuries did weaken their side a bit, but as Jason Gillespie had stated prior to the Ashes, Clarke was leading a 'Dad's Army'.

Two matches into the series, the scoreline was evenly balanced at 1-1. England registered an eight-wicket win in the third Test, with Anderson and Finn snarling 14 wickets. However, with Anderson not playing the fourth Test, the visitors were at an advantage, which didn't last even for a 100 minutes into the match. Stuart Broad ran through the top-order, returning with career-best figures of 8-15, and bowled them out for 60. England routed Australia by an innings in back-to-back matches to regain the Ashes.

Australia went on to win the ODI series 3-2 and lost the one-off T20I on the tour.

Day-Night Test

Ever since Brendon McCullum took over the captaincy, New Zealand have played a brand of cricket matched by few for its sheer level of excitement. Australia upped their game on home territory and outplayed the trans-Tasman rivals in the first Test, winning the match by 208 runs. However the next Test was brought back to balance, courtesy a 290-run knock by Ross Taylor.

The two sides then went on to play in the first day-night Test match, which included the use of pink ball for the first time in international cricket. It was a low-scoring encounter compared to the other matches of the series. Nonetheless, it proved to be a close contest, with Australia sealing the match by three wickets.

Australia fielded Grant Baldwin, team massage therapist, as a substitute. He even let a ball go for a boundary through his legs while fielding at mid off, which drew a lot of criticism from former cricketers. However, they won the three-match series 2-0.

Whooped in the islands, bullied Down Under

Even as there is very little to read into Australia's victories against the uninspired West Indies, they did manage to butcher the team from the Caribbean at home and away. If the two series did give anything to the Australians, it was a boost in batting and bowling averages. A second-string West Indian side put up an ordinary show against arguably the best side in the world.

Retirements

A recurring back problem led to Michael Clarke's retirement. He called it a day from ODIs after lifting the world cup and from Tests after losing yet another Ashes. Brad Haddin too followed suit after form deserted him. Australia's forgetful Ashes campaign also drew curtains on two more cricketers Chris Rogers from all forms of the game and Shane Watson from Tests. Prior to the Ashes, a troubled knee brought premature end to Ryan Harris's cricket career. Towards the end of the year, Mitchell Johnson, arguably Australia's greatest bowler since Glenn McGrath, quit international cricket.

For all the glory and achievements of Clarke, Haddin, Rogers, Harris, Johnson and Watson, none of them won an Ashes in England. Earlier in the year, Brett Lee, too, had announced his retirement from all forms of the game.

New guns

While there were numerous retirements in the course of the year, it saw a bunch of young batsmen and bowlers cement their place in the side. Starting with the world cup, Mitchell Starc, stood out as the best bowler in the tournament. He has taken over the responsibility from Mitchell Johnson of leading the attack. Clocking at over 150 kmph on a consistent basis, he is a far improved bowler from last year. Apart from the left-armer, Josh Hazlewood has established himself as among the most promising young talents in world cricket.

Among the batsmen, Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja have recorded big scores. But their big test lies abroad, against tougher oppositions. Same goes for Steven Smith the captain, who has continued Michael Clarke's aggressive style. Even as he has done well in the opportunities provided so far, his true mettle will take time to be tested.

Nonetheless, he has staked his claim as one of the best batsmen of 2015.

Perspective matters

Overall, if pure stats are anything to go by, Australia have the best record among all sides. They won the biggest prize in limited-overs cricket, but were outplayed in the Ashes. They didn't lose a single encounter at home. But their performance abroad has been average. Perspective matters. Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc stood out as their best batsman and bowler respectively.

Best Player: Steve Smith

Steve Smith has established himself as one of the finest batsmen in modern day cricket. Since mid-2015, there has been no stopping the Australian captain, barring a brief lull during the Ashes. He has been the man for all seasons. be it T20I, Tests or ODIs, he has scored run at will and at ease. Despite David Warner and Adam Voges enjoying their finest year in international cricket, Smith has overshadowed them.

Worst Player: Michael Clarke

Promising Player: Josh Hazlewood

While Mitchell Starc might have established himslef as the leader of the Australian bowling attack, it was Josh hazlewood who bagged the most Test wickets for Australia this year - 51. Even in England, where most Australian bowlers suffered at the hands of their arch-rivals, Hazlewood stood out. He recorded an average of 23.35 in 2015, marginally behind Peter Siddle, which is the best by an Australian with at least 15 wickets this year. Only 24 years old, Hazlewood is a bowler to watch out for.

2016 - The Year that will be

With six players retiring in 2015, it would be unfair to expect an equally successful 2016. Even as they butchered the West Indies towards the end of the year, it is not a true test of their skills. The team is young and experienced. Even as they have dominated in home conditions, their away record needs improvement. The World T20 in March will give a clear picture of the side's ability as a limited-overs outfit, which looks threatening on paper, sans the international exposure. As a unit in the longer format, they would be a work in progress. They will be hosting South Africa, the best travellers in world cricket and playing a Test series in Sri Lanka, one of the toughest challenges for tourists. If they manage to win the two series, they would finish 2016 as arguably the best side in the world.