Kolkata: He won the World Cup in India in 1987 and was the Australia captain for the tied Test match at Chennai with India the previous year. Fast forward more than 20 years and Allan Border watched in dismay as his country suffered a 4-0 humbling at the hands of India away. What does he think are the main reasons for the debacle? Will Australia be able to recover in time for the forthcoming Ashes series with England? Allan Border discussed these topics and more with Gulf News in an exclusive interview.

Q: Did you expect the 4-0 whitewash?

A: Not really! In fact, none of us in Australia did. I have to admit, Australian cricket is going through a lean patch in terms of unearthing new talent. The fast-bowling department is okay. But we’ll have to suffer because of the lack of talent in batting. Batsmen with a high backlift like Ed Cowan and David Warner are facing too many problems while lowering their bats. Brian Lara had also a high backlift. Yet he could bring his bat down straight.

Q: Will the current crop of Australian batsmen get another chance to prove their worth in the forthcoming Ashes series?

A: I really do not know. The difference is not much [between them] and those who did not get a chance to tour India. However, at this point of time, it is difficult to predict whether the selectors would be interested in bringing new faces. I am so shocked [at Australia’s Test series defeat] that I cannot even think of a way to find a solution at this moment.

Q: Australia has been supplying coaches to each and every cricket-playing nation. How could you therefore appoint Mickey Arthur, a South African, to be the coach of Australia?

A: Again, I really do not know how he was appointed. I could also not understand how a cricketer who was sent home as punishment [Shane Watson] got the opportunity to lead the side in the very next Test. I was surprised by that.

Q: It is said that the Australian infrastructure is the best among cricket-playing nations. But why the current dearth of Australian talent?

A: Yes, I too believe that the Australian system [in terms of producing new talent] is the best. However, even after the retirements of Rahul Dravid and V.V.S Laxman, India were able to produce Cheteswar Pujara, Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan and Ravindra Jadeja. People always say that there is no such system in India to unearth new talent. Then how could you have produced so many talented cricketers [if that was the case]? It’s really wonderful to have the courage of giving a debut to a 16-year old Sachin Tendulkar in Test cricket in Pakistan. Whoever was responsible for taking such a bold decision must have been brave!

Q: Could the Australian selectors not have asked someone like Mike Hussey to have postponed his retirement plans until after the India series at least?

A: That’s not the way we do things in Australia. It’s a case of: ‘You want to retire? Okay, bye!’ That’s the Aussie style. Nobody would request you to stay on if you say you’re going.

Q: The all-rounder Shane Watson did not bowl at all in the Test series. What did you think about that?

A: I would not be surprised if he bowls in the forthcoming IPL [for Rajasthan Royals]. He had back pain during the Test series, so he rested his shoulders. But I am more concerned with Michael Clarke’s injury. Our batting is dependent solely on him. He has to be there when we play the Ashes.

Q: Although the Australian batsmen had no clue against spin bowling in India, will they face swing bowlers in England more confidently?

A: We shall be arriving in England in July. The wickets will not be as damp as they are in early summer there. In July, the English wickets will be dry. Our bowlers will do their best, definitely. But I am not so confident about our batsmen.

Q: It must be noted that England also have a fine spinning pair in Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann.

A: Yeah, and that’s worrying! However, I believe Swann has an injury to his right hand. The news is that he will be all right before July, I hear, though. I also don’t think England will be playing both spinners in English conditions. It will be a tough test for our batsmen again.

Q: What about you fast bowlers, how do you rate them?

A: I am hopeful for James Pattinson. He is only 22 and a promising cricketer. He was a bit disappointed after being punished by the team management. And it was a mistake not to give him the new ball in the second innings during the last Test match.

Q: In India, most experts say winning the toss is the most important thing in a match. Australia won it in every Test, yet lost four. How do you react to that?

A: We knew winning the toss in India would us 40 per cent of an advantage. Despite winning the toss, we could not use it in our favour. What can I say? I am really ashamed of Australia’s performances in the series.

— Debasish Datta is a well-known freelance cricket writer in India.