Australia vs Pakistan 2016/17: Mickey Arthur Slams Laid Back Approach From Pakistan
Jan 14, 2017 at 12:48 PM
Things seem dismal for Pakistan in ODIs, as the team continues to get bulldozed by stronger units in this particular format. The last few years have yielded similar results, and Friday was no different as Australia outclassed them with ease at the Gabba. After being reduced to 78-5 at one stage, the Aussies recovered brilliantly to post 268 in 50 overs. The chief architect in Australia’s recovery was wicketkeeper Mathew Wade, who hit his first ODI century.
In reply, Pakistan’s approach to the chase stunned one and all. No batsman even put in an effort of going for the target as the lack of technique, application and mindset was completely exposed. The fact that a part-time bowler like Travis Head gave away just 28 runs in 10 overs is enough to summarize Pakistan’s batting woes. The visitors ended up losing the game by 92 runs and it was mainly due to their approach of getting stuck in.
Coach Mickey Arthur slammed his side for the rigid approach in the post match conference. “I thought from the fifth ODI in England we had devised a brand that worked for us and a brand that would be sustainable for us at international level,” Arthur said. “But we went back to the old-style cricket tonight, which doesn’t really have a future and it means that we don’t get the scores of 300 that we need.
“One-Day cricket has moved on. We saw Chris Lynn tonight come in and it looked like he was playing Twenty20 cricket again. That’s where the game’s going. “Scores of 300 are the norm. Three-hundred used to be incredibly good and teams used to win more times than not, but on wickets like this, teams aren’t going to win. Three-hundred is a 50-50 score,” Arthur added.
Mentioning the need for Pakistani batsmen to improve their strike rates, Arthur said, “Our strike rates aren’t where they need to be to get 300. “The players have got the ability, there’s no doubt. This is an unbelievable group of players and they work so hard. “It’s just about backing themselves. It’s all about getting confidence in those situations to play the cut or hit one over extra cover and try and put some pressure back on the bowler. That’s a confidence thing.”