Aussies bank on bowling positives to stay in series against India

CHENNAI: Australia captain Steven Smith was disappointed that his batsmen failed to rise to the occasion after his bowlers had restricted India to 252 in the second ODI in Kolkata. He said that players were not executing plans and making errors under pressure.

However, despite the loss at Eden Gardens on Thursday, the visitors had some positives and if they manage to implement plans in third match in Indore, they can come back in the series. The biggest plus for them was restricting India to a gettable score. It was the result of a lot of planning.

First they dropped No 1 spinner Adam Zampa and the pacers did their job. “One reason we dropped him (Zampa) was the fact that his style of bowling gives room for the Indian batters to play their shots. We worked on the spinners’ angles, areas to pitch the ball and the revolutions too. Our spinners (Ashton Agar and Travis Head) did fairly well in Kolkata. Our pacers too maintained good line and length. They were consistent and we look forward to them doing the same,” said a source close to the Australian think tank.

The visitors are wary of Hardik Pandya’s striking ability and there was no spinner bowling to him in Kolkata. This could be a tactic in Indore too. “The pacers were bowling well and that’s why spinners did not bowl to Pandya. In Indore it will depend upon the flow of the game,’’ added the source.
After Zampa conceded 66 in 10 overs in the first game for Pandya’s wicket, Agar (nine overs) and Head bowled 11 overs between them in the second, for 65 runs and one wicket. That way, the strategy did not prove very effective.

Amid news of opener Aaron Finch recovering from injury, Australia will look it to its top order to fire. “It was upon one of the top four to go on and make a big score and be there till the end. Head and I were the two who got in and we weren’t able to do so. If you turn that 70 into 140, the game’s closed. We just weren’t able to do it,” said Smith after the loss at Kolkata. The Australian think tank is keen that their top order clicks to keep the series alive.

Matchbox
Pros & cons

India are once again favourites. Good application from batsmen, a potent wrist-spinning duo, and an efficient pace battery have the odds loaded in the hosts’ favour. Australia need to improve their batting in order to give a fight.

Pitch & conditions

Only one clash among four that have happened at the Holkar saw both teams end with less than 250. A flat pitch coupled with short boundaries may well see another run-fest. Rain may stay away from this clash.
Key Players

Steven Smith

The Australian skipper was one among the very few silver linings for the visitors in Kolkata. With their batting line-up failing, the onus will be on his shoulders.   

Rohit Sharma

After back-to-back tons in Sri Lanka, the India opener is due for a big score this month, and Holkar is the perfect venue for

ashok.v@newindianexpress.com