Critics liken Oz team to worst ever

Critics are reportedly comparing the 2013 Australian Ashes squad to the last team to lose that often in a row, in 1984/85, after a sixth straight Test loss, and the fourth successive surrender to the English, highlighted by two more dull batting implosions.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, prior to this Ashes series, the Australian team was labelled the worst to ever leave its shores on an Ashes quest, although hopeful fans harked back to the last team to carry such a tag, the 1989 Ashes squad, which proved unexpectedly triumphant, 4-0, heralding a dominant era for the antipodean team. 

The report further said that even though Australia’s bowling is promising despite being young and inexperienced, the current batting line-up deserved to be ranked with previous underachievers and also lacks their excuses. Comparing the current side with the underachieving 1984/85 squad, the report said that generational superstars Greg Chappell, Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh had just departed in 1984, leaving behind a vast void, in a similar manner to the 2013 squad, which is also suffering following the departure of Ricky Ponting, Hussey and Simon Katich.

The report also said that the 2013 Aussie willow-wielders are undercutting new marks and have passed 300 just twice in their past 12 innings.