We have had numerous conversations over team dinners about the changes that need to be made to Australian bowling to help improve EVERY national team that goes away.. "difficult" or "hard" lane conditions being laid in Australia compared to what is being played on here... well it doesnt even compare, its beyond a joke.
Hayley,
You don't think Australian Teams have sat at Team Dinners and discussed this previously? It's a broken record, we have been doing it for the last 10yrs. Belmo, Frawls, Walshy, myself and many coaches have all tried to influence and change things in this country but it's fallen on deaf ears.
It's a catch 22, we put down tough conditions at our National events, fringe bowlers avg 180, and never return again. We put out easier patterns, numbers are up, but our bowlers are lost when they venture overseas.
The only solution is to pick a squad 12 months out, have them work with the coach through out the year (usually in conjunction with major events to save on cost) and give them the preparation which is needed to compete at the elite level. Even then we are up against countless teams of professionals like USA, Korea, Malaysia, UAE, Thailand, Phillipines, Kuwait, etc For weekend hacks we can only do so much.
Yes the Aussie team would probably want to be performing better but they are only as good as the experience and preparation they have put into the event. We do have a long list of bowlers who have been there and done that and have the knowledge and talent to compete at that level. This year appears to be the year where a line was drawn in the sand and the torch was handed on to a new group of up and coming bowlers. We cannot expect too much, it was like throwing lambs into the lions den but you have to start somewhere.
The guys there seem to be doing their best and good on them for sticking there hand up and having a go. They will learn from this experience and will become better bowlers for it.
Back here, as we have said for over 10yrs, things have to change.... but they haven't yet and there is nothing in the pipeline that would have me believe any different.
Good luck in the teams, you never know your luck in a big city!