http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 blames Australia’s top-order for loss in 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka – Cricket News Update
The Australian skipper, Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 in the third One Day International (ODI), played at Hambantota on Tuesday, August 16, 2011.
Batting first, the islanders posted a mighty score of 286, courtesy to the opening batsman, Upul Tharanga’s fantastic century. Moreover, the other opener, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KC-Sangakkara-c1779, collected 55 and 49 respectively.
While the Lankan top-order performed fabulously, it was different story all together in Australia’s innings.
The blistering opener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377, who came out to bat with two consecutive fifties under his belt, also failed
to continue the good work, losing his wicket after 22 runs.
Although Clarke and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MEK-Hussey-c1942 tried hard to bring things under-control, scoring 46 and 63 respectively, due to the top-order’s failure to lay a solid foundation, the tourists suffered a 78-run defeat at the end of the day.
Admitting the fact that the top-order batsmen were unsuccessful to set a strong platform, Clarke said, "We didn't perform well enough at the top of the order," Clarke said. "We have no excuses. We didn't perform as well as we would
like and we know that.”
It was golden chance for Aussies to seal the series as they were leading the competition 2-0 before the start of third ODI. Things worked well for the Lankans, as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SL-Malinga-c2540, who failed to produce something special in the last
game, looked at his best, claiming a five wicket-haul for just 28.
The Australian captain conceded that the Kangaroos will have to play outstandingly in an attempt to beat Sri Lanka in upcoming fourth ODI, set to be played at the Premadasa on August 20, 2011.
“We have some work to do over the next few days because, as I said from the start, playing Sri Lanka, especially in their home conditions, you have to be at your best to beat them," shared the 30-year-old batsman.
Tags: