We can still win the series

The last three matches have been disappointing for us because we had our chances in all the games but could not get over the line. It is frustrating when one comes so close and still loses. I think the match at Pune will be an important one as we will have to level the series. One good game is all it takes to rediscover the winning habit.

I believe that a team can continue a streak if they play well. We have not been doing that in the last few games. If we concentrate real hard and play as well as we can, I am sure that we can still win the series. We got into Pune late afternoon yesterday, and since Pune is a warm place, had an indoor session at the gym. Later today, we will go to the ground for a practice session.

As far as the first one-dayer is concerned, the Indians played extremely well the other night and almost all of them scored well and at a good pace. This means we will have to rethink a couple of plans for the rest of the series. Among the positives for Australia, Matthew Hayden played exceedingly well and deserved to get a 100.

When he was there in the middle with Michael Bevan, things were going well for us with the pair getting six an over with ease. However, a wicket often makes things happen in one-day games, and after Bevan's dismissal, India got the breakthroughs at regular intervals. That's the way it goes and it was unfortunate that we got to a winning position and then lost.

The Indians on the other hand batted very well in Bangalore. Sachin Tendulkar couldn't hit them any better than that. He pretty much set the pace of the Indian innings, and even after he was out his teammates continued to score at a run a ball. We obviously did feel that we gave a few runs too many, but the pitch was not an easy one to bowl on.

I prefer some grass on the wicket since it is handy for the fast bowlers and makes for a more even competition. Even Javagal Srinath who was fresh from a break went for around 7.5 an over. This proves that while it would have been nice to have Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee around, they may not have enjoyed bowling in Bangalore.

There was no bounce in the pitch and it was the kind of wicket on which pace produces more runs and the only chance a bowler has is by varying his pace. However, it was an ideal one-day wicket since it provided the spectators some great shots from the batsmen.

I don't think the dew factor or any of the other considerations that come in during a day-night match makes a difference. The rest of the games are day matches, and we will have to concentrate hard to lift our game and reverse the trend. I think tomorrow would be an ideal opportunity to do that, and the team is looking forward to it.

- Gameplan

Feedback

Design: Uttam Ghosh