I have never represented my country in the Green & Gold on the sporting field but I have been around elite sport enough to know it must certainly be the greatest honour imaginable to a sportsperson.
Pulling on any National uniform that bares the Coat of Arms, Southern Cross or word Australia should always bring a sense of pride and belonging.
If you're in that uniform it should mean a lot.
But unfortunately, when it comes to modern cricket, many of the games in which those green and gold clad players take the field mean nothing to the rest of us.
Sure The Ashes, or pretty much any Test for that matter, command and receive the respect they deserve. And in the one day arena, or even Twenty20, the World Cup(s) and Champions Trophy are a big deal.
But that's about where it stops these days. Maybe a three-five game series against a touring team is warranted but that's surely it.
Playing a meaningless one day series against India for instance (as is currently taking place) or SEVEN one day matches against England at the end of a three month Tour is really pushing the friendship.
Even the most ardent of cricket fans must agree that it cheapens the experience and lessens the importance of the bigger matches and tournaments when upwards of 25 guys play for Australia each year and what seems like every month our side is playing in a one day series somewhere around the globe.
The reason is obviously revenue delivered by ticket sales and more still, by TV rights, especially in India. I get that.
But should we be playing games that, despite the fact we all want Australia to win, we couldnt really give a rats if they don't?
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