Be it IPL or ICL: Aussies have proved their worth

NEW DELHI: It's early days yet. But the Australians at the IPL are proving why they are regarded as the finest cricket professionals in the world. Cutting across different squads, they are outperforming cricketers from other countries, including hosts India.
Facts illustrate the point. In three out of the six IPL games played till Monday, an Australian has been declared the man of the match (Michael Hussey, David Hussey and Shane Watson).The fastest century in Twenty20 history has come from an Australian (Michael Hussey again). That apart, two Aussies - Shane Watson and Shane Warne - carved out an unlikely victory for Team Jaipur over Team Mohali. Even in defeats, such as Punjab's loss against Team Chennai, the Kangaroos have shown their mettle. All-rounder James Hopes' smashing 71 off 33 balls kept the chase alive. Similarly, in Team Hyderabad's loss against Kolkata Knight Riders, Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrist were the two top scorers for their side.
It isn't just the IPL. Even in the rebel ICL tournament, the Australians have been exceptional performers. In the inaugural edition of the ICL Twenty20 last year, Ian Harvey took the man of the series prize piloting his team Chennai Superstars to triumph. The coaches from Down Under too have excelled. Hyderabad Heroes, a surprise winner at the ICL this year, was coached by Australian Steve Rixon. In fact, Rixon engineered an even bigger upset fashioning unfancied India XI's triumph in the World Series.
Experts attribute the Aussie success to a variety of reasons. Former Test cricketer Chandu Borde says since the Australians grow up playing on quick, bouncy wickets, their reflexes are sharper. "Which is why they are able to adapt better to any condition," says Borde.
Another former international Ashok Malhotra says that the big grounds in Australia play an important role in producing big-hitting cricketers from Down Under. "Besides, the standard of domestic cricket is pretty high in Australia. So any cricketer who reaches that level has a certain level of competence," he says.
Malhotra, also a former selector, says unlike Indians or Pakistanis, the Aussies don't take their foot off the pedal in any form of the game. "They never lower their intensity. The bottomline is they always want to win. They are better competitors," he says.
The IPL is enabling some Aussies to discover a new dimension to their game. Few would have expected Michael Hussey to possess the fifth gear that enabled him to pummel a ton off 50 deliveries against Mohali. (116 not out off 54).
Former Test cricketer Abbas Ali Baig says that it needs to be remembered that the Australians form the largest foreign contingent at the IPL. Thus, by sheer numbers they are more likely to succeed. "But they are also the best in blending sound basics with improvisation. Which is why they are also the most successful team," says Baig.
Undoubtedly, the Kangaroos are proving to be great investments.