The Death of a National Treasure
… at least in the men’s form
As the curtain closes on yet another Men’s T20 tournament in Australia, I can’t help but feel a sharp sting of disappointment.
Whilst this tournament has had some incredible moments, including monumental upsets over traditional cricketing powerhouses, its fanfare amongst the Australian public has been pretty tame.
And to be honest, I should’ve expected it right from the start.
Awkwardly placed before the Australian Summer and the controversial 2022 FIFA World Cup, the tournament certainly wasn’t Australia’s finest. But this scheduling isn’t entirely to blame for its failure to capture the hearts and minds of the Australian audience.
Since 2018, Men’s Cricket, particularly the T20 form in Australia has been in freefall. Hit by a perfect storm with the BBL’s eradication from free-to-air screens, the growth of Australian basketball, the IPL, and Covid crowd losses, the future of Men’s T20 cricket in Australia appears uncertain.
Although the fanfare around the men’s game has faded, the same can’t be said about the women’s game. Debuting in the 2015–16 season, the WBBL has become internationally recognized as the Premier Women’s T20 Competition in the World. Fuelled by the presence of domestic superstars Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry, freed from national duties unlike their male counterparts, the competition has grown massively in popularity. This popularity has coincided with a dominant era of Women’s Cricket in Australia.
Whilst we Aussies love winners, the stark contrast in changing ‘watchability’ across the genders isn’t attributed to the different successes of the two teams. It’s got a lot to do with the Men’s Team lacking widespread public respect and confidence.
Since the infamous ball-tampering scandal in late 2018, the Men’s Team has failed to recapture the hearts and minds of the country. With the Australian team long characterized by its loveable larrikins, like the late Shane Warne and Merv Hughes, the modern team has a lot to live up to. But with a contemporary leadership record fuelled by ball-tampering controversy, a sexting scandal, and ‘woke comment’ backlash, it’s fair to say they haven’t lived up to the expectations of the heroes of yesteryear.
And as far as I’m concerned, the Australian team has a long way to go in restoring public faith in the team. Fresh off a tournament on home soil devoid of any life, just 1 year on from that famous victory in the UAE, time will tell if the Australian cricket team can recapture the hearts and minds of the Australian public.
The Australian sporting landscape will be all the better for it.
