Australia’s batting coach Michael Di Venuto has defended the team’s plans in India but admits several players deviated from what they do best under intense pressure.
The tourists are coming to terms with crumbling twice during the first two Tests to hand India an unbeatable 2-0 series lead in the Border-Gavaskar series.
Australia were in a winning position entering day three of the second Test in Delhi, but the match had been lost by tea after an all-time horrific batting collapse.
How Australia lost 9-48 in 90 minutes when they had a lead of 86 in the Indian capital amid a flurry of poorly chosen sweep shots will be discussed for generations.
CLICK HERE for a seven-day free trial to watch cricket on KAYO
“The plans certainly weren’t wrong, our plans were good, but if people go away from their plans they get in trouble as we saw,” Di Venuto said.
Marnus Labuschagne of Australia is bowled by Ravindra Jadeja of India. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
“I think if we look back at the position we were in at 2-85 executing our plans very well in that second innings and ahead of the game and the wheels fell off after that.
“Guys under pressure moved away from their plans of what worked and you pay the consequence in this country.
“Batting is pretty similar analogy I think, you’ve got to swim between the flags in this country, if you go outside the flags and your game plan you are going to get in trouble.
“It was frenetic, it was panic, you saw exactly what we saw on the balcony.”
Former Australia great Matthew Hayden has put his hand up to help the current group after the success he had batting in India during the famous 2001 tour.
Hayden is working as a commentator during the blockbuster series and the former master blaster colourfully brought a broom out to the centre pitch after the second Test finished to demonstrate how not to play spin in India.
The 51-year-old said he had moved on from any bitterness towards the current Australian team after great mate Justin Langer was sacked as coach.
“It’s got zero relevance,” Hayden told The Age. “I’m so far removed from the process of how that went on.
“One hundred per cent, at any time of the day or night, it is a given that myself – and I’m sure I speak for anyone else that I represent that would have that kind of influence – would 100 per cent be in.
stephen Connell
Guest
The simple reality is if the test team doesn't win and keeps playing 3 day test matches then interest will naturally wsne because people want winners nof poor performers Who tslk big but deliver zilch ! India improved their awsy form to beat Audtralia in Australia twice but Australia still has not got a clue how to win outside of Australia and a fired up England to confront next. It will be interesting to see if the test team can resserect itself into a reasonable combination. Enough talk just fo it .
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
As I've said before, the overuse of the sweep indicates a lack of confidence to advance down the wicket to drive the V.
jammel
Roar Rookie
Great to see Haydos and Gauthim Gambir's batting masterclass post-Delhi! Two legends that know more than a little about batting in India!
Ankush Deshpande
Roar Rookie
just a tad, yea :silly: :silly:
Gus O
Guest
“One hundred per cent, at any time of the day or night, it is a given that myself – and I’m sure I speak for anyone else that I represent that would have that kind of influence – would 100 per cent be in”. What? Is that the longest, most convoluted and tortuous “yes” ever uttered?
Ankush Deshpande
Roar Rookie
we can't play decent seam/swing, nor can we play on turning tracks, so are we only going to score big on at home?We got beaten there too by India 2 summers ago.there's no shame to learn from your opposition,India were abysmal away from home for a long time but they've worked on it,England were terrible just 12 months ago, but now they seem to be the one to beat.when will we learn? when will we accept that we're poor when the ball does things, till we accept that and work judiciously on our flaws,these floggings will be a norm on away tours.
Beebop
Guest
DiVenuto should have been on the plane home with Warner (Cattle Class)
Cam
Roar Rookie
Di Venuto's plan was to score 500, the Aussie batters strayed from that plan.
Dav Davson
Roar Rookie
The simple fact is the bats didnt swim between the flags. Its so obvious to all that instead of shredding those gnarly barrels, they got swept away in those epic rips. Bummer, dude.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Going by how they treated AB after his comments they’ll never take Hayden up on it. It’ll be more of , “we trust our process” and ” we know we just need to focus on our plan” – total BS
Angus
Roar Rookie
Not the worst idea having test greats come in for some wisdom. Is there a point where it becomes to pre-meditated, over coached and leaving the batsman a bit unsure on how they should play instead of their natural game. Head, even though he didn’t fire looked to be playing his natural game. Handscomb first innings and Usman are the only other two. Even smith and Marnus looked a little out of sorts, as though they had something in the back of the brain telling them to play/do something other than what’s in front of them.
Pete
Guest
Interested to know why you think Hayden going into camp is what's best for this team?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Ha ha.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Good to see he is owning up to any failings he had during the first two Tests :stoked:
Marty
Roar Rookie
Great news! Just what the Australian camp are missing, some experience. I’m sure McDonald and co will put aside any personal animosity, just as Hayden had done, and welcome him into the camp with open arms because that’s what’s best for the team and Australian cricket. I mean, it’s not as if he would be so arrogant, petty, self centred and unprofessional that he would put his personal feelings ahead of what’s best for the team? Has anyone heard when Haydos will be heading down to training?