Having started watching cricket before 1990 and following it eagerly within the last decade and into the 21st century, the standard of cricket has improved drastically and there is no longer a sense to stay at the crease defend and then make a 100 ball 50. The powerhouses have taken over, we have seen just in the last few innings in a swinging track, some class bowlings and batting performances, infiltrating a disastrous times for the Asians under unimaginably unorthodox wicket, once again proving that on a wicket that has something for the bowlers, we still lack the composure and sheer technique to face, say someone like McGrath, Bond, or Pollock. Australians are continuing to dominate and Ponting is leading with some absolutely maginificent batting performances over the past years. For the Asians though, there still seems to be problem overseas playing under difficult conditions where there is no mercy for the batsman unless they possess technique and footwork and you need to produce a wonderful innings unlike the sub-continent tracks where Afridi and Shehwag bludgeon bowlers to all parts. Fielding has improved, they can now actually target one stump and hit it there which seemed to be a distant thing to do. There is no question that Indian bowling slump has continued while Pakistan on the other side of the border keep producing star bowling performers. Mohammad Asif in my opinion, is Pakistan's answer to McGrath. But he dreadfully indulged into substance abuse and its very disappointing to see such a talent being damned and will not play which could end his career, although I believe he will be back, Shoaib is doubtful to return to the side anytime in the near future. And how about Gayle btw? Stand and deliver seems to be his motive and he does it, surprisingly, quiet effectively and langers into some tons that has been his trademark. With Gayle, have they found the new Gordon Greenidge? Perhaps, but the answer seems to be in his ability to hit through the line with great hand-eye cordination and just a full bludgeon meat of the bat with so less follow through. But, South Asians definitely need inspiration to come out of somewhere and for that we might just have to wait for longer now.