Australia; Keys to success against India (ODI Series, 2017)

Australia; Keys to success against India (ODI SERIES, 2017)

The ODI series between two familiar foes is set to commence in less than 24 hours. With that being the case, let’s have a look at what boxes Australia will have to tick over the course of this series, in order to achieve the uphill task that lies ahead of them.

Firstly, let me remind you that this Australian team is a depleted one with the likes of Starc and Hazlewood being rested. That, however, isn’t the case with India. The selectors have, in fact, gone with a full strength side, especially with the pace battery. Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav would be rearing to have a go in this series, in a bid to prove their fitness levels.

Firstly, let’s get to the ideal playing XI for Australia, considering the format and conditions;

1)David Warner

2) Aaron Finch

3) Steven Smith ©

4) Peter Handscomb

5) Travis Head

6) Glenn Maxwell

7) Matthew Wade (wk)

8) James Faulkner

9) Pat Cummins

10) Nathan Coulter-Nile

11) Adam Zampa

Australia’s track record over the past year in ODI’s (away from home) has been very average. From getting whitewashed by South Africa to seeing an early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy, this side has seen a lot of chop and change. What the selectors should do now is stick to the current crop and groom them for the bigger picture; The ICC Cricket World Cup, 2019.

You would be surprised to know that David Warner hasn’t yet played an ODI and Steven Smith is yet to score a 50 (in India)! Well, if you’re an Aussie fan, you wouldn’t want to read too much into that.

Getting down to the point, Australia possess a very top order heavy unit. It’s fair to say that either of Warner or Smith has to bat deep if Australia want to get to a 300 plus total. Similar to the Test series, Smith has to lead the way for his team. As far as Warner is concerned, the 50 over format has been an area that he has flourished in, particularly over the past 18 months or so. However, the sheer inexperience of Handscomb and Head poses a huge question mark. Glenn Maxwell, too, isn’t the most reliable player in a challenging situation. I wouldn’t be surprised if Marcus Stoinis is given a go sometime in this series. Having said that, this particular lineup bats very deep. Right down till number 10 (Nathan Coulter-Nile), the batsmen to come can give the ball a decent hit. Atleast in a game or two, the match will come down to the hands of the lower order, so it’s important that they bat to their potential.

Another area that has been proved to be so crucial in any limited overs game, particularly in India, is the death bowling. We’ve seen even 125 to 130 runs being scored in the last 10 overs. It seems that Australia are well aware of that; they’ve gone with the likes of Faulkner, Coulter-Nile, Richardson and Cummins, all of whom have had a fair taste of success in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Though, it would still be a massive ask from these individuals to stop the likes of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma, once they get going. Having a conservative approach for this series, keeping in mind the Ashes, might just cost Australia the series. Even the best of bowlers find it hard to stop the flow of runs in India. Combined, all four of the Australian pacers selected for this series have played a mere 14 ODI’s in India. Nevertheless, all of them can clock over 145 kmph, a trait that is much appreciated in conditions that don’t offer much. It’s a bit of a gamble, going with such inexperience, but it could well pay off. The bowlers will have to use whatever bit of IPL experience that they’ve acquired over the years, there isn’t any better time that it would come in use.

Apart from being top order heavy and having lack of death bowling experience, Australia look well equipped to take on the Indians in their own backyard. They have great depth in the batting department, are a great fielding side and have some serious pace in their bowling. India have a very enviable track record at home, especially in recent times. It would take a mammoth effort to topple them over. But, come to think of it, nobody really gave Australia much of a chance in the Test series, and boy, did they did give India a run for their money! One thing is for sure, it’s going to be an absolute cracker of a series.