Cricket ODI World Cup 2023: Australia’s desperate plight in full focus ahead of second warm up match in India
Australia’s stocks are even thinner for the second World Cup warm up match in India as cohesion issues make the Aussies’ plight seem increasingly desperate.
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Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Starc are set to remain sidelined for Sunday’s second ODI against India as Australia’s World Cup plight gets increasingly desperate.
India cruised to a comfortable victory in the first of the three-match series on Friday night in Mohali, but it wasn’t the result that mattered, more the distinct lack of cohesion in almost every facet of Australia’s game.
Captain Pat Cummins and Steve Smith made solid returns from injury but the skipper revealed the other two key pillars in the side Maxwell and Starc aren’t due to come back until the third ODI against India next Wednesday, leaving precious little time for continuity to build ahead of Australia’s blockbuster World Cup opener facing the formidable hosts once again on October 8.
If anything, the five-wicket loss in Mohali may further strengthen Australia’s resolve to carry Travis Head through the first half of the World Cup despite his fractured hand, in the hope he can win them the tournament at the back end.
India’s openers Shubman Gill (74 off 63) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (71 off 77) showed the vital importance of getting off to a flying start in Indian conditions, and Australia believe Head can provide that injection when he ultimately returns to partner the in-form David Warner (52), the only Aussie to pass 50.
Josh Inglis’ (45 off 45 balls) in the middle order was also timely as Australia contemplate how they plug a hole without Head for the first half of the tournament, especially if they are to decide against calling Marnus Labuschagne (39 off 49) into the final 15-man World Cup squad.
It might be too late in the piece for selectors to consider another switcheroo, but Cameron Green looks out of rhythm as a middle order batsman in India after a stodgy 31 off 52 balls.
In his first ever Indian Premier League appearance earlier this year, Green lit it up as an opening batsman for the Mumbai Indians, as he did late last year when Australia shifted him to the top of the order for a series of T20s in India on the eve of the T20 World Cup.
Green struggles starting his innings against spin and Australia might ponder whether – in Head’s absence – they might get the best out of him by promoting him to open with Warner and giving him a licence to play his shots.
That would allow Australia to return to its original plan and bat Mitchell Marsh at No. 3 and Smith at No.4.
It would enable Australia to go hard with its top three and push for a big start to the innings, and then have the option of pulling the handbrake with Smith at 4 and possibly Inglis at 5 should early wickets fall.
Green told this masthead before the start of Australia’s ODI campaign that the IPL experience opening the batting had changed him as a cricketer.
“100 per cent, I took a lot of confidence out of that,” Green said.
“You’re obviously coming up against the best players in the world in pretty foreign conditions. I had a great time. I felt like I was a different cricketer to when I finished that, from where I was before.
“I had a lot more confidence in my own game and what I can bring.
“I think that’s the benefit of our Australian team, everyone has had success in the IPL and had plenty of years there.
“We have a really good idea how to go about it in India and they have great plans for how to succeed there.”
Meanwhile, Green has formally knocked back an approach from the Brisbane Heat to jump the fence to play for them this year, but is still yet to put pen to paper with the Perth Scorchers.
Australia’s other big issue ahead of the World Cup is taking wickets, with leg-spinner Adam Zampa about the only likely option at the moment.
World Cup master Starc (groin) and finger spin all-rounder Maxwell (ankle) will be absolutely vital to Australia’s hopes and selectors will be sweating on how they respond in their comeback from fitness issues.
Originally published as Cricket ODI World Cup 2023: Australia’s desperate plight in full focus ahead of second warm up match in India
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