Last Updated on 16 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Australia’s middle order woes have been exposed once again, leaving the world champions needing answers 12 months out from the 2027 World Cup.
Unlike the matches in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe earlier this year, Australia enjoyed excellent starts with the bat in the first two ODIs in South Africa. Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head combined for 90 in 9.2 overs in pursuit of 298 in Durban, followed by 130 off 17 overs chasing 366 on a Johannesburg belter.
However, the Australians were unable to build on the platform, leaving captain Marsh frustrated after another series defeat.
“In both games, the way we’ve set up the innings has been really good but we just haven’t been able to execute in those middle phases,” Marsh said, as quoted by ABC News.
“We’ve got to keep improving, we don’t want to be whitewashed.”
Australia’s middle order woes in ODIs: Big issues to sort out a year out from the 2027 World Cup
The chases in Durban and Johannesburg unravelled between overs 30 and 40. Australia managed just 37 runs during this period in the opening ODI, followed by just 35 in the second.
Such numbers are damning. If Australia don’t improve in this area, starting by landing their ideal middle order combinations, they can forget about successfully defending their World Cup title.
As CricBlog reported following the first up win in Zimbabwe earlier this month, the Australians have questions to answer following the retirements of Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis.
Marnus Labuschagne’s lack of form has hurt, given he was touted as the player who could play Smith-like role and drop anchor. While Australia searches for that player, another massive question is who replaces Maxwell.
Cameron Green and Jack Edwards, batting at six and seven in South Africa, combined for a total of 52 runs off 89 deliveries. More is expected of Green in particular, who has far greater experience and an ability to score quickly. He did so against South Africa last year in Mackay, but whether he can deliver down the order – especially against spin – remains to be seen.
Australia are in need of impact, and if Tim David isn’t called upon, it’s on the selectors to nail the right combinations with the players they have entrusted so far.
Alex Carey or Josh Inglis at number four is arguably a spot too high. Australia needs either batting more against spin, although the latter averages just 27.8 against spinners in ODIs this year. Both possess a dot-ball percentage below 46 against spin in ODI cricket, while Cameron Green’s in this series is 55 with a strike rate of 47.5 in 40 balls.
There is the very fair argument that Green shouldn’t be in the team if he isn’t batting in the top four. With Cooper Connolly showing promise and Matt Renshaw pushing a case for a higher spot, there is a world where Green is squeezed out of the XI.
Australia’s habit of losing quick wickets
While Australia struggle to take wickets in the middle overs (Adam Zampa’s form is a concern), they lose too many of their own. They have lost 13 wickets between overs 11 and 40 in South Africa, while taking just six.
Such a difference has proven pivotal as Australia’s propensity to lose regular wickets in ODIs has come to the fore once again. In Pakistan in May/June, they lost three wickets within the first 15 overs in the first two matches, before collapsing from 98/2 to 157 in the third.
Bangladesh was worse, falling to 2/2 and 0/3 in the opening two matches and regularly losing wickets thereafter as they succumbed to a series defeat. In the final match of that series, they nearly botched a chase of 275 despite reaching 266/5.
The next assignment, in Zimbabwe, was the ultimate example of how a series scoreline (3-0) doesn’t reflect the action on the field. The Australians lost early wickets in the first ODI, before collapsing from 162/3 to 245/9 in the third match only for Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson to see the team home in a nailbiter.
In the age of T20 cricket, Australia still need a Temba Bavuma-like player in their lineup. The Proteas captain put on a masterclass in Johannesburg, with his perfectly-paced hundred ensuring his team didn’t succumb to the pressure of their own early wickets. The magnificent David Miller then finished the job.
Australia’s next ODI assignment is against a resurgent England at home in November. With only a handful of ODIs between now and next year’s World Cup, Australia must find answers, and fast.
