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This is an archive article published on July 10, 2005
Blunders down under
Australia have looked a shadow of their all-conquering selves over the current tour of England. The clues to their shambolic showing lie not...
July 10, 2005 12:00 AM IST
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2 min read
Australia have looked a shadow of their all-conquering selves over the current tour of England. The clues to their shambolic showing lie not in one batsman or bowler but in the failure of key positions
SKIPPER SCUPPERED
It doesn8217;t happen only in India! Ponting, the fulcrum of his team8217;s batting, has averaged 21.29, with a strike rate of 64, in ODIs on this tour. His highest in the last five innings is 34. Last season, he averaged 37.09.
DIZZY8217;S DOWN
In the seven matches he8217;s played, Jason Gillespie has taken five 8212; count 8217;em wickets at the rate of one wicket every 72 balls 12 overs at 5.24 runs per over. The same guy who terrorised batsmen just months ago may be dropped for Michael Kasprowiscz of gulp Shaun Tait.
OPEN AND SHUT
Australia get off to a bad start nowadays because their usually reliable openers have been off form. In seven matches, Gilchrist has scored 201 runs at an average of 33.5; Hayden is marginally ahead, 205 at 34.16. England, by contrast, get off to flyers; Strauss has 378 runs at 63, Tresco 261 at 52.2
MUDDLED MIDDLE
Average second-wicket partnership last season: 47.19. This season: 18.57
Average seventh-wicket partnership last season: 26.15. This season: 8.25
OTHER BATTING BLUES
There have been only seven 50 partnerships in the last eight matches. And no Australian has scored a century yet.
BOWLING, BAWLING
The Oz credo was, if the batsmen don8217;t get you, the bowlers will. Sadly, they haven8217;t been doing it of late. McGrath has taken a wicket every 42 balls; last season, he took one every 26 balls. And no specialist bowler has taken a four-for; only all-rounder Symonds has, with 5-18 against Bangladesh.
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