Shane Warne's setback is a gut-wrenching blow to a wonderful bowler, a strong Australian team preparing for a long World Cup campaign and the game itself.
Warne has worked hard to recapture his former powers, going so far as to give up his beloved beans. He has been bowling beautifully, has taken a stack of wickets, tormenting batsmen as in days of yore and now must fear that his career has come to an abrupt conclusion.
All sportsmen live in dread of sudden injury. This point must be grasped for it underpins the approach of all those past the age of maturity. Warne will not play in the World Cup. Of course, he has been written off before, here as elsewhere, only to bounce back with the determination of the true sportsman and a grin that drives his critics to distraction. Durability has been his strongpoint, as it is the Prime Minister's. He will be missed. Already the spirits of rivals will be rising.
Warne is a clever bowler and a remarkable competitor whose spell in the semi-final against South Africa turned the match around, especially his dismissals of Herschelle Gibbs and Hansie Cronje. No replacement and few contemporaries can match his nerve, audacity and ability to take wickets when they are needed. But his contribution goes further than can be told from figures in a book.
Warne is a strong presence in the team, and a respected and mostly popular teammate. He kept in regular contact with Michael Slater when the batsman's troubles began and remains a trusted confidante. No one was more delighted than the Victorian when Shane Watson, his friend and fellow corn-top, took a wicket on Sunday night. He has played a big part in the forming and sustaining of these Australian teams and has not allowed himself to dwell upon missing the captaincy.
Curiously Warne's batting and fielding will be missed as well , if not as much, as his bowling and will to win. Surprising as it might sound, considering his sometimes reckless, though never feckless, approach, Warne's appearance at No. 8 in the order is reassuring. Long tails are liabilities in this buccaneering form of the game. Teams need hitters down the list, and fewer passengers than can be carried by a camel. He catches reliably at slip and moves better around the field than might be guessed from a scrutiny of his athletic record. In other words he helps to balance the side.
Now Australia faces a dilemma. Stuart MacGill cannot bat or field to the required standard and lacks the accuracy expected from those pressing for places in the line-up. But he does take wickets. Cameron White and Nathan Hauritz represent the new brigade of spinners, and they can give the ball a clout and chase shadows. Both apprentices are fine competitors.
Apparently, White is a proper batsman. Somehow he has managed to follow Warne into a cricket team without losing heart. MacGill cannot take his place for granted. White is in the World Cup 30; he isn't. Otherwise, the Australians have nothing much to worry about. Provided Warne's absence does not cloud the thinking, Ricky Ponting's team has a fine chance of taking the trophy. His side has been playing top-class cricket.
Matthew Hayden has batted well -- apparently this has been mentioned -- and Adam Gilchrist has recovered his most brilliant form. Ponting was better than any of them on Sunday in a marvellous hand that brought to mind Slater's recent effort in Sydney. Damien Martyn has been batting calmly whilst Darren Lehmann has emerged as a cheerful competitor capable of collecting in various styles and sending down canny round-armers.
Happily the bowling has been strong with an impressive new ball pair given strong and varied support. Previously Brett Lee seemed to regard pace and line and length as alternatives, now he combines them effectively.
Watson's spell at the MCG was his most promising on Australian soil. If this banana-bender is half as genial as he seems he must be good company of an evening.
Everything was falling into place. Even the reserve team was playing cracking cricket, with Michael Hussey, Michael Clark and Ashley Noffke continuing to catch the eye, and Jimmy Maher demanding his place in the party with some characteristically engaging work. Along the way Ryan Campbell produced some innovative strokes, widening the range of possibilities in a nation inclined to conservatism. Towards the end of his innings next day, Ponting was almost as bold. Then came Warne's wretched misfortune.
Now Australia may play a World Cup without one of its great players, a disruption bound to affect the balance of the chosen party. Australia had almost settled on its squad and now must think again. Yes, Warne will be missed. Suddenly his faults will appear minor and his strengths considerable. Many heroes are worse than they seem. Warne is betted, and Australia will be weaker without him, and cricket a duller game.
Australia has lost an important player, the Cup has lost one of its main attractions.
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