Australia’s middle-order failed to step up to the plate during the recently held ODI series in South Africa.
Head coach Justin Langer on Tuesday (March 10) acknowledged that Australia is lacking a white-ball finisher in their middle order and they would love to have someone like MS Dhoni or Jos Buttler in the line-up.
During the recently held ODI series in South Africa, Australia’s middle-order failed to step up to the plate as they coped a 3-0 whitewash.
The upcoming three-ODI series against New Zealand, beginning March 13 in Sydney, provides an opportunity for the Aussies to discover a batsman who could play the role of a 'finisher'.
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"We've been fortunate in the past with a Mike Hussey or a Michael Bevan who are masters at it. (MS) Dhoni is a master of it ... Jos Buttler has been brilliant at it for England,” ICC quoted Langer as saying.
"What I've learned is everyone in the world is looking for it," he added.
In South Arica, Mitchell Marsh played at No. 6 in the second and third ODI and registered the scores of 32 and 36 respectively.
On the other hand, wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey made 5 batting at No. 6 in the first game and then returned with the scores of 21 and 0 in the last two ODIs while coming at No. 7.
No wonder, Langer feels that the New Zealand series is a great opportunity for someone to seal the spot.
"So it's a role that's there for someone to grab hold of," said Langer. "No one at this stage has absolutely secured it, have they? But there are good opportunities there for someone to do that."