Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

What cost Australia the 2nd ODI

Last updated on: September 22, 2017 08:00 IST

'One of the top four needs to go on and make a hundred; just making poor decisions under pressure'

Australia captain Steve Smith bats during his innings of 59 

IMAGE: Australia captain Steve Smith bats during his innings of 59 in the second ODI against India. Photograph: Ashok Bhaumik/PTI

Australia lost early wickets but with Steve Smith and Travis Head rallying the visitors it looked like anyone’s game until some rash shots were played en route their loss in the second ODI against India at the Eden Gardens, in Kolkata, on Thursday.

And rightly so, Australia captain Smith admitted that his batsmen made poor decisions with the bat.

"We were pretty happy with 250, we thought we pulled things back pretty well (in India's innings). To reduce India to 250 on that was pretty good. Did a really good job there," he said.

"Batters though made poor decisions, and you can't do that against a quality team like India. One of the top four needs to go on and make a hundred; just making poor decisions under pressure. We need to get those partnerships. If we do that then we should chase these totals down comfortably.

"(Marcus) Stoinis was good at the end there; just needed someone to bat with."

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.