1. Home
  2. ICC World T20 2014: Australia still not on top of spin in subcontinental conditions

ICC World T20 2014: Australia still not on top of spin in subcontinental conditions

March 30, 2014
ICC_World_T20Mar 30: Australia need a miracle to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC World Twenty20 2014 in Bangladesh and the early exit that is likely is further indication the Australian batsmen are still incompetent in handling the spinning ball.
In the past 12 months, Australia have been humiliated in the Test series in India, lost a close fought One-Day International (ODI) on the best batting wickets the world has ever seen and now come up short in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) having been undone by the Pakistan and West Indies spinners.
But Darren Lehmann thinks otherwise and stated it was ‘match awareness” that the players needed to improve on. But losing 8/64 against Pakistan is also an issue of adjusting to the slow nature of the pitches.
Spooning catches to short mid-wickets is a result of being beaten in the air, leaving a gap between bat and pad, overbalancing to forward prod, trying to play the cut shot to balls too full are flaws in batting techniques.

It is even more of a concern when George Bailey admits “We have been undone by the lack of turn rather than the turn”. While few bowlers have spun the ball, it has certainly not turned according to Indian spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin. “The wicket has been slow. Can’t say the ball has been gripping and turning sharply.”
Ashwin who let the rout in the 4–0 whitewash refused to admit Australia have failed to improve against spin bowling but did have few wise words, “Mostly what is going on in world cricket now is that everybody play to their strengths and are not prepared to test others’ waters. They need to come out here and play more spinners, which is the way forward but in saying that I don’t want to comment on Australia’s planning. That is for their coaching staff to decide.”
Furthermore, it is certain opposition countries are likely to present wickets that will negate the strength of Australia’s bowling and expose the Australian batting. The Port Elizabeth Test match was a perfect example.
The T20 format was golden opportunity for Australia to overcome their spin bowling deficiencies. Stating reasons such as lack of awareness is fair enough but the issues are lot deeper than just awareness.
Even though the World T20 still hasn’t garnered the prestige Tests or ODI World Cups have over the years, still this tournament was a perfect platform for Australia to take another step to being on top of the cricketing world. Their next assignment is the Test series in UAE against Pakistan in October, so they have ample amount of time to get their game right. If they fail it will be back to square one.

Comments

Add new comment

About text formats
  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
January 30,2020

Hamilton, Jan 30: Caught unaware about the Super Over scenario, Rohit Sharma took five minutes to “find” his abdomen guard after the third T20 International against New Zealand had ended in a tie on Wednesday.

The India vice-captain said the team had almost given up with New Zealand going great guns at one point.

“Everything was packed. All my stuff was inside my bag. I had to get it out. It literally took me five minutes to find my abdomen guard because I didn’t know where it was,” Rohit said.

“I mean we never thought it would go to the Super Over, the way they were batting at one point. It looked like they could easily win the game,” he added.

Comments

Add new comment

About text formats
  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
July 6,2020

Karachi, Jul 6: Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has said that questions will be raised if Indian Premier League is slotted in the window allotted to ICC T20 World Cup in Australia, which in all likelihood will be cancelled in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ICC is yet to decide the fate of the T20 World Cup in Australia which is scheduled to take place from October 18 to November 15.

"There are rumors that the World Cup was clashing with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Australia-India series, therefore, it (T20 World Cup) won't take place," Inzamam said in his YouTube channel on Sunday.

"The Indian board is strong and has control in the International Cricket Council (ICC). If Australia says that we cannot hold the World Cup because of the Covid-19 pandemic, then their stance will be easily accepted, but if any such kind event happens during the same time, then questions will be raised," he said.

The 50-year-old former batsman, who has scored 8,830 runs in 120 Tests and 11,739 runs in 378 ODIs for Pakistan, further said, "People will think, if a country could host 12 to 14 teams (16 teams), then why the ICC could not look after the teams, after all Australia is such an advanced country.

"Another thing is the ICC should not be allowed to give priority to private leagues (IPL) on international cricket. This will lead to young players forcing on private leagues other than international matches."

The former coach, however, agreed that it is not easy to host 16 nations during the T20 World Cup.

"Australia can say that it was difficult for it to manage 18 teams (16) for the mega event as it is not easy. Likewise, the Pakistan team was in England in a hotel and all the facilities were being provided there, therefore, it has not been easy to manage 18 teams (16)," he said.

The fate of Asia Cup which PCB will be hosting in a neutral country for security reason is also an issue as no one knows the fate of the tournament originally scheduled in September.

Inzamam said: "I have also heard that objections are also raised on the dates of the Asia Cup as it is clashing with some other event.

"The ICC, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and all cricket boards should sit together and give a strong message that any such kind of impression (giving priority to private leagues instead of international cricket), won't take place," he said.

Comments

Add new comment

About text formats
  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
March 7,2020

Melbourne, Mar 7: Ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup against Australia, India spinner Poonam Yadav said that skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has given her a lot of support.

"Harmanpreet has been of immense support. When I got hit for a six in the first over, she came to me and said, 'Poonam, you're one of the most experienced players in the team, and we expect better of you'," Poonam said.

The 28-year-old experienced bowler has played 68 shortest format games for India and taken 94 wickets at an average of 22.66.

She has been in devastating form throughout the tournament and has bagged nine wickets so far.

"So, that kind of stirred something within me. I told myself if my captain has that much faith in me, I should be able to make a comeback," she said.

"I took a wicket in the very next ball, and didn't look back since. Now when I look back at that moment, it means so much in the context of my individual performance and run to the final," she added.

In the opening game against Australia at Sydney Showground, Poonam came within a whisker of the third hat-trick in Women's T20 World Cup history, dismissing Rachael Haynes and Ellyse Perry before Jess Jonassen was dropped.

The final of the tournament will be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on March 8 -- International Women's Day.

Comments

Add new comment

About text formats
  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.