AUS v SA 2018: Michael Hussey concerned with Australia's chop and change policy

The team from down under has now lost 17 of their last 19 ODIs.

Australia suffered a massive defeat in the first ODI at Perth | AFP

Former batting stalwart Michael Hussey has urged national selectors to ensure there's consistency in Australia's ODI outfit, which has now lost 17 of their last 19 games in the 50-over format and continues to struggle. 

Being shot down for just 152 against a high-quality attack on a good hard and bouncy surface at the new Perth Stadium, Australia succumbed to defeat with the Faf du Plessis led South Africa polishing it off in just 29.2 overs and 6 wickets in the bank. 

Disappointed with the way things are at the moment, Hussey blamed inconsistency with the playing XI fielded by the team management and told Adelaide radio station 5AA, "There have been some concerning things happening over the last couple of years that I think have certainly affected the team, We have chopped and changed the team way too much in the last couple of years."

Hussey has a very valid point here, as the selectors have picked 31 different players in the playing XI since Australia's last ODI series win against Pakistan in January 2017. In the meantime, Sri Lanka have tried 41 players in 45 ODIs, while Windies have gone with 34 players in 37 matches.

"In fact, I think other than Sri Lanka we have made more changes than any other country in the whole world," Hussey further stressed, "And that doesn't help a team settle and gain continuity and gain a bit of trust with each other."

"Some of that (change) has been circumstantial with injuries and different tours and things like that. But I think that's been one of the things that's affected the team," he emphasized. 

Looking forward to the rest of the three-match series and the future, Hussey suggested, "Good teams have … that core group that have stuck together over a long period of time, I would just really back the group that they have got there now."

"Yes, Ok, they're not doing the job at the moment. But if we just stick with them, we know they're all good players, let them grow together ... then hopefully we will start to see some improvement." he signed off. 

The second ODI at takes place at Adelaide on November 9. 

(Inputs from Cricket Next)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 08 Nov, 2018

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