Australia has not started well in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, as the five-time champions suffered back-to-back defeats in their first two matches of the tournament.
Notably, the Australian cricket team suffered a six-wicket defeat against India in their first match in the ongoing Cricket World Cup 2023 in Chennai, and then they had to face another crushing defeat of 134 runs against South Africa in the next match in Lucknow on October 12.
This kind of start in the 2023 World Cup is very disappointing for the five-time champions, and Australian captain Pat Cummins said that every member of his team is hurting after their second consecutive loss in the tournament.
However, Cummins said that Australia must adapt to all conditions if they want to be challenging and win the matches at the CWC 2023 in India.
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Pat Cummins said at the post-match presser, “I thought Quinton (de Kock) batlly well, could not get a breakthrough. From where they were, we were quite happy with 3and 10, thought it was chaseable. Looked like hard work out there tonight, their bowlers boally well, think it nipped around a bit more under lights.”
On being asked if it would have been easier to bat first, Cummins said: “Really hard to say, if we want to be challenging in this tournament we need to find ways of performing regardless of batting first or second. Do not think much needs to be said tonight, everyone is hurting, we will try and take a couple of days off and then make amends to come back stronger in the next one. There are a few things we need to tidy up.”
Meanwhile, South African captain Temba Bavuma was pleased with his team's near-perfect performance against Australia, as they reached the top of the points table with two wins.
Bavuma said, “I'd be really greedy if I said there were areas to improve, a near-perfect game with the bat, and with the ball, looking at all the phases, the guys dominated and showed their skills.”
On the other hand, Quinton de Kock said that South Africa assessed the conditions well and played to their strengths, but urged his team not to get complacent after their two successive wins in the World Cup 2023. He was adjudged Player of the Match for his century in Lucknow.
De Kock stated, “A great win for the boys, assessed conditions well, played accordingly, stuck to our strengths and came out on top. We are pretty pleased with ourselves, but only two games in, anything can happen, and quickly, won't get too high, just take it game by game.”
Notably, Australia will next face Sri Lanka in the World Cup 2023 on October 16 in Lucknow, while South Africa will take on the Netherlands on October 17 in Dharamshala.
(With PTI/ANI Inputs)
