15 in Chennai, 2 at Eden Gardens, Warner dying to find ‘rhythm’
INDORE: Australia’s story in the first two ODIs has been similar to their struggles against spin in the sub-continent. The only difference this time -- they have been troubled by leg spin.
In the Chennai ODI, they had problems facing Yuzvendra Chahal as he took 3/30.
In Kolkata, Kuldeep Yadav took a hat-trick as Australia collapsed and lost by 50 runs to go 0-2 down in the series.
Ahead of the third game in Indore, David Warner has suggested a new mantra to tackle the spinners in the middle overs and that is to get a good start.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Warner said, “If you get off to a good start and the spinners come on, it is a different ball game. The tempo is different. In the middle overs against spinners, you have to rotate strike and minimise damage.”
Australia have struggled to string decent opening partnerships in the first two ODIs. In the rain-curtailed match in Chennai, the opening stand managed only 15 while in Kolkata, it was 2. Warner said that a combination of great Indian bowling and lack of rhythm on their part was hurting Australia.
“It was difficult to get going in the first couple of overs in both games. As an opening batsman, it was hard to get any kind of rhythm. The Indians bowled an exceptional spell. In the last 12 months, we have had batting collapses. There are no answers,” Warner said.
The left-hander has had a torrid time in the two matches so far, managing scores of just 25 and 1. This continues Warner’s massive discrepancy in ODIs and Tests in India as compared to the IPL, where he has over 4,000 runs.
In Chennai, after getting out to Kuldeep, the Chinaman bowler claimed Warner was under pressure while facing him.
Warner spoke about Australia’s problems against spin and said there were no excuses. “When you keep coming back, there are no excuses. You should know the conditions as a senior player. However, when you go out, it becomes a different ball game altogether,” he said.
A loss for Australia in Indore will see them lose a bilateral series in India for the third straight time.