2nd ODI: Australia win by 67 to take series
This match began similar to that fateful match in Cardiff where Bangladesh humbled the might of Australia. Incidentally, I hear Cardiff will host an Ashes Test next time we tour England. Some complain it's for pure financial reasons but I'm guessing the ECB hope it's a bogey ground for Australia. Similar to Cardiff, Australia won the toss, batted first and did an adequate job setting a total. But there was one big difference in this match - Andrew Symonds turned up sober this time.
Australia opened well, reaching 55 and Gilchrist on the verge of exploding as he did in the first one dayer. Then Mashrafe Mortaza took 3 quick wickets to take out Australia's top three. Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds consolidated in the middle of the innings, building a hefty if somewhat slow partnership (why can't our middle order do that at Test level). It was Symond's undefeated century that was the difference in the end - he got us to 250.
Bangladesh then showed how to perform a real top order collapse, losing their first 3 wickets for 8 runs. A 4th wicket partnership of 62 from Habibul Bashar and Javed Omar steadied things but they couldn't handle the run rate and fell for 183, 67 runs short. A comfortable victory although again things didn't go all Australia's way. I still don't get it. This is Bangladesh. Why do we keep getting into trouble against these guys? Is it Australian fatigue, or the home ground advantage or the simple fact that Bangladesh are becoming a good team? I'm hoping the latter which would be a great step for international cricket. Nevertheless I confess myself losing interest in this ODI series and am glad there's only one match left. As the cricketers are to a much larger degree.
| Posted by JC on Thu 27 Apr |  5 comments |
dont all of you think the frequent middle order collapses r a cause of concern?in marto's absense hussey could be brought in at 4....i think it would be better than what it is now without martyn
Posted by ajesh on 2006-04-26 20:50:14
Posted by ajesh on 2006-04-26 20:50:14
As concerns go, Australia's middle order frailty is second only to our feckless back-up bowlers. I dunno about Hussey at 4 though - he's going well where he is at the moment so I dunno about rocking the boat. I don't know if Clarke has the technique for #4. Hodge might be a better option. Tough spot to fill.
Posted by JC on 2006-04-26 22:24:25
Posted by JC on 2006-04-26 22:24:25
thats why they need martyn for the world cup and the ashes too
Posted by ajesh on 2006-04-27 03:29:56
Posted by ajesh on 2006-04-27 03:29:56
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