For years, Australian captains used to describe India as the final frontier, and most stumbled and fell en route.
Australia's primary problem is that it is between generations. Ricky Ponting talks often about how he is nurturing a young side.
But Ponting is wrong about his side. His team consists largely of seasoned campaigners. Simon Katich is 35, Mike Hussey is 35, Marcus North is 31, Shane Watson is 29, Nathan Hauritz is 28, Mitchell Johnson is 28 and Brad Haddin, 32. The average age is roughly the same as the bowling average, and both are high. It is a newish team but hardly young.
Michael Clarke might be directing a genuinely young team containing Callum Ferguson, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja and company. Not that proven performers ought to be summarily ejected. Just that age eventually takes a toll on all except the most gifted and dedicated.
Identifying the frailties is the easy part. Selecting a team for 2012 is tricky only because so many gifted youngsters will be applying for the job.
Selecting a team for the forthcoming Ashes encounters is another matter.
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