JOIN US It was a forgettable night for Australian bowlers in Jaipur where they were mowed down by phenomenal Indian batting. Skipper George Bailey, however, was not hustled to make changes in the playing XI and said he would like to go ahead with the same group in the third ODI here on Saturday.
Australians bowlers could pick only one wicket on Wednesday with the hosts chasing a massive 360 with 39 balls to spare. Bailey, though, felt just one game did not merit a change.
“Personally, I would like to back the group. I don’t think that after one game where they (India) got on top of our bowlers, merits a change. We need to give a chance to everyone in the group to get on top of their batting line-up. But yeah, we’ll think about Nathan (Coulter Nile),” Bailey told reporters.
“We have spoken to our bowlers. Surprised that they chased 362 in 43 overs? Yes, I was. It was a phenomenal batting performance,” he added.
Bailey admitted the wickets here have little for the bowlers. “It’s hard to know what motivates bowlers on these wickets. I think I would like to see a little bit more help for the bowlers if they bend their backs and a little bit for the spinners. But that’s how it is around the world, different conditions and that’s the beauty of the game around the world. That’s what makes touring India such a challenge.”
On the pitch at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium, Bailey said: “It looks like a little bit more grass here, I don’t know if it will stay or go in the next 24 hours. There might be a more life here than at the Jaipur wicket. The boundaries are a bit bigger as well. I haven’t looked at the past scores or anything, so I don’t know what to expect."