Australia’s failure to qualify for the semi-final of the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh is further indication Australian batsmen struggle against spin.
In the past 12 months, Australia has been humiliated in the Test series in India, lost a close-fought ODI on the best batting wickets the world has ever seen and have now come up short in T20, having been undone by the Pakistan, West Indies and Indian spinners in consecutive games.
Darren Lehmann said it was “match awareness” his players needed to improve on. But losing 8/64 against Pakistan is also an issue of failing to adjust to a slow pitch.
Spooning catches to short mid-wickets is a result of beaten in the air. But leaving a gap between bat and pad, overbalancing to forward prod, and trying to play the cut shot to too-full balls are flaws in batting technique.
It is even more of a concern when George Bailey admits “We have been undone by the lack of turn rather than the turn”. While few deliveries have spun, the ball certainly has not turned according to Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin: “The wicket has been slow. Can’t say the ball has been gripping and turning sharply.”
Opposition countries are likely to continue presenting wickets that negate the strength of Australia’s bowling and expose the Australian batting – the Port Elizabeth Test match was a perfect example.
The T20 format was golden opportunity for Australia to overcome their spin bowling deficiencies. Failing at the tournament for a “lack of awareness” is fair enough, but the issues are lot deeper than that.
Although it is only T20 cricket, this tournament is further indication how much Australia has to improve to be the world’s number one cricket nation.
Australia’s next assignment is October’s Test series against Pakistan in the UAE. This is ample time to get their game right. If they fail, it will be back to square one.
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