Can a great team ever be transitioned without embarrassing lows?

[Trundler27]

Just wanted to get some thoughts after looking at the Aussie squad announced for the ashes. I was of the opinion that IF any team in the world would be able to reduce the impact of its greats leaving en masse without an embarrassing drop in performance, it would have to be Australia. I believed this for a couple of key reasons: 1. They always plan meticulously and don't hesitate to drop legends if it helps to nurture upcoming talent 2. Their domestic talent is easily the best among all test playing nations and so they have traditionally had many players that were good enough to be international players but never really found a place in their national side due to lack of openings. Now, it is plenty apparent that the Aussies are going to be mediocre for some time while they try to find a decent test match calibre batting line-up. The West Indies on the other hand were never as well prepared as the Aussies and as they eventually lost a host of legends they totally lost their way and became perennial weaklings. So now provided SAF continue dominating test cricket for the next few years do they inevitably meet the same fate because both extremes have been tried by Australia and WI and did not prevent a huge drop in performance and quality. What gives?

[vvvslaxman]

Saffers can do because they have surplus of talent they even lend them to England . But a strong leader should be there.

[Old guy]

Saffers can do because they have surplus of talent they even lend them to England . But a strong leader should be there.

totally agree they need to find next smith soon ..talent wise they will keep on producing world class players even now i think best is yet to come :winky:

[Trundler27]

^^ I'm not so sure about that.... part of the transition is when a team loses great leaders too. You can't keep replacing them over and over. Not that I consider Greame Smith as a great leader anyway... he is above average but not great. As far as talent goes, I'm sure everyone thought the same way about Australia like 3 years back when even I thought that they could singlehandedly field like 2-3 international caliber sides from their talent-pool. The only difference I see in SAF is that they do not have as many potential legends in their current side as those great aus and WI teams might have had (amla, kallis, steyn, AB--not certain).

[Old guy]

^^ I'm not so sure about that.... part of the transition is when a team loses great leaders too. You can't keep replacing them over and over. Not that I consider Greame Smith as a great leader anyway... he is above average but not great. As far as talent goes, I'm sure everyone thought the same way about Australia like 3 years back when even I thought that they could singlehandedly field like 2-3 international caliber sides from their talent-pool. The only difference I see in SAF is that they do not have as many potential legends in their current side as those great aus and WI teams might have had (amla, kallis, steyn, AB--not certain).

u have to see history too south africa even at there worst produced great talents also define low ... 1-3 years? yeah every team will struggle but to go down like west indies i can tell u know south africa nad australia both will bounce back and will never become mediocre teams

[vayuu1]

Yes you can transit,a great team without letting them face embarrassing low,if: A) you need a strong domestic setup,which is churning out very good players,by that I mean strong bench strength . B) those players must be given opportunity at right time,aka ( clever rotation policy) C) your grass root level(school,colleges,clubs,under 12,15,19) need to be strong as well ,so that you have guys ready to take over from international players and ensure a strong bench strength for the future as well . D)arrange tours for your under 12,15,19 and A teams on regular basis. E) make ur pitches competitive(offers help for everybody).

[vvvslaxman]

If players retire gracefully at the right time half the problem is solved.

[Trundler27]

If players retire gracefully at the right time half the problem is solved.

Didn't every aussie legend barring ricky ponting do this? Didn't seem to solve anything for them.. the above problem is more so with sub-continent players imo