Australia’s not-out batters Pat Cummins, right, and Mitchell Starc walk off the ground after their win over Pakistan during their one day international cricket match in Melbourne. (AP)
AUS vs PAK: Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy didn’t mince words in his criticism of Australia’s lackluster batting in the first ODI against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Australia narrowly clinched a two-wicket win, chasing down Pakistan’s target of 204 in 33.3 overs.
“We have a lot to learn,” Healy stated on SENQ.
“We’re gearing up for the Champions Trophy, so there aren’t many opportunities left before a final team has to be selected.
“We should be playing these games properly, but they’re treating it like a schoolyard.
“It wasn’t good enough. We won, but just barely, with 17 overs to spare.
“Gone is the ability to just knock it around. Josh Inglis and Steve Smith had to slow things down, and even they got out playing false shots.
“Our shot selection was poor, and Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk played like schoolyard bullies.
“The disregard for conditions was unacceptable. The bowlers, including Mitch Starc, said during the innings break that the pitch was two-paced and uneven in bounce.
“So what do we do? We try to slog the Pakistani bowlers all over the place.
“The batters didn’t learn anything from what the bowlers told them; they didn’t respect the opposition enough.
“When Pakistan’s bowlers got on a roll, they were hard to stop.
“The Australian boys’ egos couldn’t be set aside for even half an hour.
“Inglis and Smith showed restraint, and then Pat Cummins had to as well.”
The second game will be played in Adelaide on Friday, with the final ODI in Perth on Sunday. The series will conclude with three T20s.
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