Brad Hodge believes that Australia has missed the glue in the middle-order and the trend of changing and chopping in the squad needs to change if the country wants to improve their limited overs’ cricket.
In the last few months, Australia could not find a right team combination and their middle-order especially has been struggling to find rhythm and they are even confused with the choice for the roles at the moment. Hodge fees that creates chaos and panic.
According to Bowlology Report, Hodge said, “Every time we go to a T20 World Cup we pick six openers to bat and we just pump them in there and see what happens. It’s too difficult. We’re trying to find spots for players that aren’t traditionally good players against spin or aren’t traditionally good players at starting their innings with a ring field. People aren’t sure about what to do.”
The 43-year-old further added, “When there is confusion about what you’re meant to do and you get out in the middle and you’re not sure it just creates chaos, panic and you’re going to lose out.”
The Victorian further went on to explain, “We’re missing that glue around No.4. Michael Clarke played the role, Damien Martyn played the role. Michael (Clarke) obviously got a lot of criticism for the way he played in terms of he’d probably score 80 off 100 balls but it actually enabled the likes of Ponting, Hayden, and Andrew Symonds after him to go a bit harder. He (Clarke) averaged around 45-50 (44.60), and Damien Martyn (40.8) the same. They don’t get out so if you know that guy is going to get 45 most times he walks to the crease; we’re not potentially losing wickets.”
Meanwhile, Hodge believes that former skipper Steve Smith should be given the slot when his ban comes to an end, but doesn’t feel Chris Lynn is an ideal choice for the middle-order.
He signed off by saying, “I think it has to be (Smith). I don’t think there’s any other person that stands out. (David Hussey) was an accumulator but he accumulates at a good strike rate. Same with Damien Martyn, same with Steve Smith. I think that’s where we’re getting really confused. I don’t think Chris Lynn is that player at all.”
(With Fox Sports Inputs)
