CHENNAI: One-day cricket in most Indian venues is a one-dimensional game. It’s well known that pitches will assist batsmen and whoever bats deeper will have a better chance of winning. Sheer pace or as seen of late, unorthodox spin can sometimes make things different. But by and large, these are games designed for heavy scoring, for an audience that likes the suspense provided by equations of balls and runs remaining.
It’s imperative to have enough batters in this scheme of things. The nature of the game is such that there will be days when the top order fails. Batsmen are needed more than bits-and-pieces players in such situations, who can consolidate or build and accelerate if need be. They need players who can survive 80-100 balls instead of being capable only of 20-ball 30s.
Other than the two wrist spinners that India have found, the difference between them and Australia in the ongoing series has been this department. India’s search for No 4 continues and this area needs attention, but be it MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya or Virat Kohli, they have found men to stay there when the situation demanded. On the other hand, Australia’s problems have started from No 4 and kept getting worse further down the line-up.
“All-rounders are alright, but you see too many of them in this Australian team. Be it batting or bowling, you need a certain number of specialists. Other than missing the Aussie spunk, this is where this team has been found wanting. For example, I don’t think Glenn Maxwell can be seen as a leading batsman. You need proper batsmen in specialist positions. Maybe they were forced to field so many bits-and-pieces players because of available resources and injuries,” felt former wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta.
Aaron Finch’s absence in the first two games was a big blow for a team dependent on the top three. Choice of replacements didn’t help either. There was no Usman Khawaja or Joe Burns in reserves, after scoring heavily in these conditions for Australia A two years ago. And despite giving the impression that he is more accomplished as batsman, Peter Handscomb was left out of the first two games. Travis Head, Marcus Stoinis and Maxwell seldom looked like having the wherewithal to play long innings on these pitches. No wonder then that the combined tally of their No 4, 5 and 6 in the first three ODIs was 198. When this happens in India, the opponent usually wins.
“From whatever has been seen of Handscomb, he is a good player of spin. He uses his feet and has done well in Tests in Bangladesh. Australia needed someone like him in the middle instead of players who are better as finishers. Along with other issues, the tendency to choose hitters over those who can play long innings has let Australia down.”
atreyo@newindianexpress.com