Smith hits out at Australian ODI collapses

Captain Steve Smith says his side's recent batting collapses are not good enough after Australia went 2-0 down in their ODI series against India.

Steve Smith

Steve Smith says Australia must lift after another one-day collapse gave India a 2-0 series lead. (AAP)

Australia captain Steve Smith has a blunt message for his batsmen: the collapses must stop now.

The visitors are in dire trouble in their one-day international series against India after a 50-run loss in Kolkata on Thursday put them 2-0 down.

Smith said batting collapses had become a worrying trend in all forms of Australian cricket after losing their last eight wickets for 112 in game two.

"We've had a lot of collapses and we need to stop," Smith said.

"It's a hard one to put my finger on but whatever it is, it needs to change.

"We need to make better decisions when we're under pressure and start playing the game properly.

"It's not good enough."

Australia have lost their last 10 ODIs away from home. They need to break that streak in Indore on Sunday to keep the series alive.

Smith played well for 59 at Eden Gardens until he was caught in the deep off the bowling of Hardik Pandya.

Marcus Stoinis worked hard for an unbeaten 62, but Australia lost too many wickets due to poor shot selection as the Indian bowlers kept the pressure on.

"It's easy just to sit here and say it needs to stop but when you get out in the middle you need to change what you're doing because it's not working," Smith said.

"Watching the ball closer or maybe the guys are trying to watch it too closely and forgetting about just playing the game."

Smith lamented his side's inability to build partnerships, with his 76-run stand with Travis Head their best effort in the first two matches.

That partnership ended Head hit a seemingly harmless full toss straight to mid-wicket on 39.

Makeshift opener Hilton Cartwright's position is under pressure after being bowled for one in his first two ODIs.

Aaron Finch is on the road to recovery from a calf injury and could come into contention for the must-win clash in Indore.

Part-time wicketkeeper Peter Handscomb could also be an option after Matthew Wade made 11 runs across the first two matches.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world