3 minute read
Australia started with a bang in India but finished down 2-1 after being beaten in Rajkot and Bangalore in their ODI series.
HOW AUSTRALIA'S PLAYERS FARED IN THE INDIA ODI SERIES
DAVID WARNER - 8
Was near flawless in his series-opening unbeaten century in Mumbai but followed it with scores of 15 and three. Hard to criticise anyone who hit 146 runs at 73 at a strike-rate of 111.45, while he also fell to a one-handed blinder from Shreyas Iyer at point in Rajkot.
AARON FINCH - 8
Batted masterfully in Mumbai to give Australia a 1-0 series lead as he raced out of the blocks early in his 110 not out. Like Warner, couldn't back it up in Rajkot or Bangalore, where he was run out as a result of an awful mix up in the decider. Captained well.
STEVE SMITH - 9.5
Returned to No.3 and was back to his best with 229 runs at 114.5. Scored 98 in the second game loss and 131 in the decider, but no one could go with him for a sustained period of time in either match. Got out at the wrong time in both innings, but it's hardly his fault Australia's death batting wasn't up to scratch.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE - 7
Impressive rookie series as he proved he could convert his skills against the red ball into the limited-overs game. Hit 46 and 54 as he looked busy at the crease in both innings. Australia could have done with him batting deeper both times, but was out to a classic catch from Virat Kohli in the decider in Bangalore.
ALEX CAREY - 6
Couldn't replicate World Cup heroics with the bat but still showed he belonged in the middle order with 53 runs at 26.5. Kept well, as he barely missed a chance behind the stumps.
ASHTON TURNER - 3
Didn't deliver like he did when he won Australia a match in Mohali last March as he scored just 17 runs at 8.5 and a strike rate of 68. Has hit 320 runs at 16.8 in all domestic, franchise and international cricket since his Mohali breakthrough will be under pressure to keep his spot for the upcoming series against South Africa and New Zealand.
ASHTON AGAR - 6.5
Looked solid with the bat in his two innings, but Australia will want want him to score faster than his strike-rate of 94.73 at No.7 if he's batting in the last 10 overs. Bowled well in the first game and exceptionally in the third with figures of 1-38 from 10 overs, but had a tough time of it in Rajkot.
PAT CUMMINS - 7
Played a key role in Australia's series-opening win in Mumbai as his 2-44 put the brakes on India and held them to a lowly 255. Didn't take a wicket in Rajkot but was again miserly, before going for 9.14 an over in Bangalore - his worst economy rate since his debut in a rain-affected 2011 game.
MITCHELL STARC - 5.5
Took 3-56 in the first game but it all went downhill from there on the batter-friendly wickets. Had a return of 0-78 in Rajkot and then 0-66 in Bangalore. Would've liked far better figures than three wickets at 66.66 and an economy rate of 6.89, but the conditions hardly suited him.
KANE RICHARDSON - 6
Dropped for the decider after he took four wickets at an average of 29 in the first two games. Bowled well at the death in Mumbai and Rajkot but was expensive early early in both. Should continue to feature in white-ball cricket for Australia.
ADAM ZAMPA - 7.5
Made a game of getting Kohli out as he got rid of him for the sixth and seventh times of his career in the opening two games. Finished the series with the most wickets for Australia with five at 29.40, consolidating his status as the team's chief white-ball spinner well into the future.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD - 6
Earned a reprieve for the last game in Bangalore and took 1-55 from 9.3 overs as the only quick to go at less than a run a ball. It marked his first white-ball game for Australia since November 2018 but will likely get more in the next two months.
