Cricket Australia Prioritizes Test Series, Leaving Second-Choice Batting Line-Up Exposed Against Pakistan
Australia’s decision to prioritize the Test series left their second-choice batting line-up exposed in the decisive ODI against Pakistan in Perth. The home team’s performance raised more questions than answers about the next generation of cricketers.
Led by fill-in captain Josh Inglis, who was named in the Test squad along with seven other players who started the ODI series but didn’t finish it, two Australian players made their international debuts in a shambolic Sunday display. A third failure from opener Jake Fraser-McGurk triggered a collapse, with Australia being bowled out for 140 – their lowest ODI score against Pakistan in 24 years. The injury to second-gamer Cooper Connolly further compounded the issues.
“I’ve never seen an Australian batting line-up look so exposed.” – Former England captain Michael Vaughan
Pakistan’s Haris Rauf ran riot again, taking his wicket tally to 11 with 2-24 in a likely man-of-the-series performance. The frailties of what was essentially an Australia A batting line-up, save for Glenn Maxwell’s second duck in three games, were laid bare as they were dismissed in the 32nd over.
The selectors made five changes to the team that was beaten in near-record fashion in Adelaide on Friday, including installing Inglis as captain on the same day he was named in the Test squad. Cricket Australia’s decision to jam the matches into the November window to clear the way for the Big Bash in January has raised questions about the readiness of many Australian players and fans.
The meagre totals of 208, 163, and now 140 were well below par for the reigning World Cup champions, reflected in the disappointing crowds that turned up to watch. Fraser-McGurk, Hardie, and Connolly were all making their international debuts, with the latter two having limited domestic experience leading into the series.
The performance has left more questions than answers about the depth of Australia’s cricket talent pool.
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