Aussie allrounder Abbott expressed his displeasure with Australia’s bowling performance after the team was defeated by India by 99 runs in the second ODI game on Sunday. The player’s request for improved performance from Australia’s bowlers comes on the aftermath of their fifth successive ODI loss, compounding their difficulties.
After winning the toss and deciding to bowl first, Steve Smith’s team had high expectations of stopping the Indian batting assault. However, their hopes were dashed as the Australian bowlers battled to handle the opposition’s batting order.
The Indian juggernaut, spearheaded by centuries from Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill, as well as Suryakumar Yadav’s blistering 72 off 37 balls, compiled a massive total of 399 runs. This was India’s highest-ever total against Australia, emphasising the severity of the challenge the Australian bowlers faced.
The failure of Australian bowlers, especially Abbott and Spencer Johnson, to stop the Indian batters was clear. Even Josh Hazlewood, who started brilliantly, eventually reverted to T20I-style deliveries, which proved ineffective. Meanwhile, Cameron Green took a beating when Yadav hit him for four straight sixes in a single over.
Critics have pointed out that Australia’s problems go beyond this particular setback, noting that it is the fourth time in the previous five ODIs that they have lost 300 or more runs. This concerning tendency calls into doubt the team’s bowling ability and execution.
Abbott, speaking openly following the loss, emphasised the critical need for improved execution.
“We’ve obviously just not executed as well as we would have liked,” he said. It’s all well and well to say that we’ll take lessons from these games and such, but we need to perform better overall.”
Despite allowing over 400 runs, the pacer found some comfort in the death overs bowling. Abbott feels that the Australian attack is very skilled
“I thought the death bowling was pretty good, even though we went for 400 again today.”
“It still has a lot of room for improvement. But, as I’ve said before, our execution and bringing those stumps into play, owning our lengths and putting pressure on the hitters has to improve, and I have no doubt that we have a very good attack,”
he added.
