A Season for Everything...

As this white man currently writes, it seems that a cricketing dynasty is crumbling around itself. The Australian cricket team have ruled the cricketing world for over a decade now with a grouping of players that were the pride of a nation and the envy of other teams world-wide. They have so completely dominated test and one-day cricket with such force and intimidation that the Australian public have grown accustomed to the team being synonymous with only one thing... success. But the tide is turning. Australia's champions, such as the Waugh twins, Warne, McGrath, Langer, Martyn and Gilchrist have all retired over the past 3-4 years and what was a star-studded champion team now finds itself back in the pack of moderately good cricket teams. Two months ago Australia toured India and found itself on the end of a 2-0 series defeat. Pundits, whilst acknowledging the series loss also reasoned that the Aussies couldn't be quite written off yet as a cricketing power. A sub-continental tour for any team is accepted as being the harshest task to negotiate and not a reasonable measuring stick for a diminishing power like Australia. But over the past week and a half the reality is hitting home. South Africa, currently touring here in Australia and leading the series 1-0 with a second test victory imminent, are finally proving that Australia's crown is well and truly slipping. Australia have not lost a test series on it's home soil for 16 years. And Australian fans don't like it one bit. But this white man asks what all the fuss is really about?

No sporting team remains on top forever. Not even a powerful political empire lasts forever so why should any one nation remain number 1 in any sporting endeavour? It reminds me of the famous wisdom passage from Ecclesiastes 3:
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance."

So come on Australia - accept with grace the reality that our cricketers have enjoyed an extended bountiful season of success. But now it is other nation's cricket teams turn to shine and have their moment.

And before you ask yourself then let this white man just tell you...yes it's true! Pastors do often preach to themselves and I guess blog to themselves too!