Former Australia captain Tim Paine reacted to the team’s loss vs Pakistan in a 3-match ODI series at home. Australia’s summer started off on a defeating note as Pakistan clinched the ODI series 2-1. This was the first time in 22 years that Pakistan won an ODI series on Australian soil, with the last victory dating back to 2002. Paine felt that the meltdown over Australia’s loss was too much and that the key players had been rested for the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy series.
“That annoyed me. Six or seven guys were in that team. Let’s just pump the brakes on the, ‘I can’t believe we’re seeing this performance from the world champions’. We’re blooding some youth to give them experience at the international level whilst the big boys get ready for two hugely important series – one in Test cricket and one in white-ball. Relax. It’s okay,” he told SEN Tassie.
Australia lose ODI series vs Pakistan
Paine couldn’t comprehend the criticism of the World Champions Australia, who suffered a series loss at the start of the summer. He pointed out that the World Cup holders are preparing for the five-match Test series vs India, starting November 22.
“People were saying, ‘Oh, I can’t believe how bad the Australian cricket team are’, these are cricket commentators and world-class cricket commentators saying, ‘I can’t believe what I’m watching, this the World Cup holders’. No, it’s not. The World Cup holders are sitting on the couch getting ready for a Test series.”
Australia gear-up for India challenge
Australia captain Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were rested for the 3rd and final ODI match vs Pakistan. in the absence of key batters, Australia managed only 140 runs and lost the match by 8 wickets vs Pakistan. Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head won’t be taking part in the T20I series as well because of their paternity break. The mentioned players, barring Travis Head, are part of Australia’s 13=member squad for the 1st Test vs India in Perth.
