You can never write Australia off before a World Cup! Just months before the quadrennial event, the defending champions showed that they would not give up their crown without a fight by coming from 2-0 down to inflict a stunning 3-2 defeat on pre-WC favourites India. This was Indian skipper Virat Kohli’s first home series loss as captain. Australia’s last ODI series win came nearly two years ago, and with the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood all likely to be added to the squad, few will underestimate the Kangaroos at the World Cup.
Here’s how Australia’s players rated in the PayTM ODI series against India.
Aaron Finch (capt) 5/10
As a batsman, Finch had an ordinary series- only 157 runs in 5 matches at an average of 31.40 as his poor test form continued into the shorter formats. His 93 in Ranchi showed signs of him leaving his lean run behind, but on evidence of this series, his starting spot could be in serious jeopardy when Warner and Smith return.
He however led his team remarkably well, and has achieved something many visiting skippers have been unable to do- an ODI series win in India.
Usman Khawaja- 9.5/10
An absolutely fantastic series for Uzzy, with 383 runs in 5 matches at an average of 76.6. Was remarkably consistent as well- scored his maiden ton in Ranchi which set the tone for the visitors’ comeback, and followed it up with 91 and 100 in Chandigarh and Delhi respectively. Outscored Virat Kohli in a series where the latter scored two back to back centuries!
Rightly declared the Player of the Series.
Shaun Marsh-1/10
29 runs in 3 matches at an average of 9.66
A horrendous series for SOS given his normally high standards in this format, and might have just kissed his World Cup hopes goodbye. Was axed for the decider in Delhi after being heralded as a potential saviour for the visitors’ batting on Indian pitches when he was brought into the squad- an indicator of how badly his stocks fell in this series. Continue reading “Australia’s Player Ratings vs India- ODI Series 2019”