Australia’s golden summer closed with a dusty Dhaka sunset, and coach Darren Lehmann lamenting the almost certain end to their World Twenty20 tournament.
Losing a limited overs tournament doesn’t come close to overshadowing Australia’s brilliant return to the top of Test cricket following an Ashes whitewash, a 2-1 Test series win over South Africa in their own backyard and short-form victories over both as well – but Lehmann admits it does leave a bitter taste.
“Very much so because we had played pretty good Twenty20 cricket obviously at home and then in South Africa just before we came here,” Lehmann said in the wake of the six-wicket loss to the West Indies which leaves Australia’s World T20 campaign in tatters.
“We were probably 70 per cent in all three (aspects – batting, bowling and fielding).
“And it’s a good learning curve but as I said you’ve got to win those games.
“We have got to be on the mark each and every time. Especially in this knock-out format.
“You find out about some players in pressure situations which is good and bad for a coach and a captain. At least we learned.” Some of what Lehmann learned clearly didn’t impress him.
Despite playing below their best against Pakistan and the West Indies, Australia managed to get themselves into a winning position on both occasions – only to falter with the finish line within sight.
Against Pakistan, their run chase fell apart after Glenn Maxwell’s swashbuckling 74 had given them the impetus for a simple run home.
With the Windies, they simply needed to hold their nerve in the final overs – only to watch as Darren Sammy peeled off a series of crushing boundaries to snatch victory from under Australian noses.
“We beat ourselves in these games. It’s as simple as that,” Lehmann added.
“Obviously credit to the West Indies and Pakistan but we should’ve won both of those games.
“We’ve got only ourselves to blame.
“Our match awareness has got to improve in this format.”
Australia’s slim hopes of reaching the next stage will rely on easybeats Bangladesh springing an upset against Pakistan on Sunday – and then Pakistan toppling the West Indies in their final group match.
Then Lehmann’s men will have to upset India, take down Bangladesh on Tuesday, and hope that their net run rate is superior to both Pakistan and the Windies.
As unlikely a scenario as it appears, Lehmann remains confident that Australia can bounce back against India.
His top order has shown a distinct frailty against spin bowling in Australia’s opening two fixtures, while India’s spin duo of Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja have been among the tournament’s most impressive bowlers to date.
But Lehmann says the experience Australia earned on last year’s seven-game ODI series, won 3-2 by India, will serve them well.
“We know them very well, and they know us very well,” he said.
“It’s going to be a great challenge for our batters and bowlers to put a complete performance together. If we do that we can compete with anyone in the world.”
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