Australia coach Darren Lehmann admits his side need to rethink how they play one-day cricket in English conditions before returning for the 2019 World Cup.
The world champions’ frustrating Champions Trophy campaign was ended by England on Saturday after rain washed out their opening two matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh.
Steve Smith’s side can justifiably feel hard done by to be out after falling four overs short of a Duckworth-Lewis system win over Bangladesh that would have earned them a semi-final spot ahead of the underdog Tigers who stunned the Black Caps on Friday.
However, they were struggling against New Zealand when the rain fell at Edgbaston nine days ago and then well beaten by the Ben Stokes-inspired hosts.
Having not won an Ashes series away from home in 16 years, England hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Australia and Lehmann said improvements need to be made.
“We lost 5-15 at one stage, credit to England they bowled well,” Lehmann said.
“But I think we helped them a little bit. We were siting reasonably well at one stage but lost wickets, We just need to get better at playing cricket.
“There’s no excuses. Blokes have been playing IPL and we had enough games before we played.
“Obviously the rain is not ideal but you can’t do anything about it. We were poor and deserved to lose.”
England’s vibrant, attacking style, has been credited in the local media with following a blueprint set by New Zealand under Brendon McCullum.
It’s a claim Lehmann takes great exception to and insists his team are still the benchmark others team aspire to.
“I think England and New Zealand took the way we played in the last World Cup,” he said.
“We played with bravery and we smashed every side bar New Zealand in Auckland.
“They are starting to take the way we played and not vice-versa. When they win a world cup we can take the way they play.
“We want to get back to playing brave cricket, I don’t think we’ve been brave enough or smart enough in this tournament.
“Guys are up for it, we just got outplayed.”
Lehmann admits the decision to select allrounder Moises Henriques over Marcus Stoinis, who had an excellent series against New Zealand in February, failed.
The 30-year-old Henriques has never made more than 18 in an ODI and failed with the bat in two innings and took just one wicket.
“We will have to sit back and have a look at that and moving forward with what we do,” Lehmann said.
“Marcus was very good in New Zealand so it was a tough selection call. You take advice from everyone and you make a call. The skipper was quite keen for him (Henriques) to bat four.
“He looked quite good, he just didn’t capitalise.”
Ouch
Guest
No Darren. The selection of players and appointing the correct Captain needs to get better. Warner should be Captaining the ODI side. Moises should never be picked again. Usman to open. Chris Lynn must be in there somewhere. If Maxwell isn't bowling then his position should be reconsidered as he is too inconsistent - maybe swapped for Mitch Marsh
James
Guest
'He looked quite good, he just didnt capitalise' is up there with 'Im hitting it well in the nets'. The team that went over should have been good enough, that sometimes happens. I think the biggest concern is Smiths failings as a captain, he just doesnt seem to be able to think what the game needs, its almost as if he sits down before the game and outlines which bowlers will bowl what overs and thats what he does regardless of how the game is going. Plus he hates spinners but at least he is consistent, he doesnt bowl them in India or England.
Giri Subramanian
Roar Guru
The squad and the team selections had lot left to be desired.The captaincy of Steven Smith was questionable at times during the short tournament for the Aussies. I say short because Australia played only one full game in the tournament. If they had probably completed their game against Bangladesh, they might have still qualified. Bowling too much of part time spin and not attacking enough is what cost Smith the games. It is very unlike Australia I have known over the last 20 years. Australia always attack and go for wickets in any format, that's the reason I questioned Smith's decision of bowling Head for 8 overs before bringing Zampa on. The only thing that did was slow down the RR and dragged the game longer. I am 100% sure that Australian team of the past if they had the opposition on the mat, they would go for the kill with specialist bowlers.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
The selectors need to get better.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
You wouldn't want to be near a bus when Lehmann is around.
George
Guest
Seemingly not.
Art Vanderlay
Guest
I assume from those comments he doesn't think the coaching had any input to the performances?