Smith lambasts batsmen after another collapse
Visitors go 2-0 down in five-match series after 50-run defeat in second ODI against India on Thursday
Australia's captian Steve Smith (C) reacts as Indian cricketers celebrate the wicket of Australia's Travis Head during the second one day international (ODI) match of the ongoing India-Australia cricket series at the Eden Gardens Cricket Stadium in Kolkata on September 21, 2017. PHOTO: AFP
MELBOURNE:
Australia captain Steve Smith has accused his batsmen of "panicking" under pressure and demanded they show more starch after another collapse against India saw the side thrashed by 50 runs in the second one-day international in Kolkata on Thursday.
India set Australia 252 to chase at Eden Gardens and defended it with ease as the tourists lost openers David Warner and Hilton Cartwright for one run apiece and crumbled with a hat-trick to left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
The world champions trail the hosts 2-0 in the five-match series and have now notched up their 10th ODI loss in succession on foreign pitches.
Clearly fed up, Smith, who scored 59, said his batsmen were making "silly errors" and had to change their approach.
"This is happening a bit too often for my liking, to be honest with you, in all forms of cricket," Smith told reporters. "We've had a lot of collapses and we need to stop. The guys have trained really well and it's now about getting out in the middle and executing your skills when you're under pressure and not panicking.
He added: "I think we panicked last game a little bit and in this game, we just couldn't get the partnerships. We're making silly errors when we're under pressure."
Australia's last five batsmen managed a total of 10 runs between them in Kolkata, while the top order rarely looked comfortable playing the spin of Kuldeep and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
"It's easy to just sit here and say 'it needs to stop', but when you get out in the middle you have to change what you're doing because it's not working," added Smith. "Watching the ball closer or maybe the guys are trying to watch it too closely and forgetting about just playing the game. It's a hard one to put my finger on. But whatever it is, it needs to change and we need to make better decisions when we're under pressure and start playing the game properly."
Marcus Stoinis remained unbeaten on 62 from 65 balls in a rare bright spot for the tourists and Smith said he had given his team mates the blueprint for how to handle the conditions and the Indian bowlers.
"He didn't panic, he was calm and he played good cricket shots," said Smith. "He was nice and positive with his intent. We just needed someone else in the top four to go on and make a score."
The teams will now travel to Indore, where they face off in the third ODI on Thursday.
Australia captain Steve Smith has accused his batsmen of "panicking" under pressure and demanded they show more starch after another collapse against India saw the side thrashed by 50 runs in the second one-day international in Kolkata on Thursday.
India set Australia 252 to chase at Eden Gardens and defended it with ease as the tourists lost openers David Warner and Hilton Cartwright for one run apiece and crumbled with a hat-trick to left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav.
The world champions trail the hosts 2-0 in the five-match series and have now notched up their 10th ODI loss in succession on foreign pitches.
My captaincy not under threat: Smith
Clearly fed up, Smith, who scored 59, said his batsmen were making "silly errors" and had to change their approach.
"This is happening a bit too often for my liking, to be honest with you, in all forms of cricket," Smith told reporters. "We've had a lot of collapses and we need to stop. The guys have trained really well and it's now about getting out in the middle and executing your skills when you're under pressure and not panicking.
He added: "I think we panicked last game a little bit and in this game, we just couldn't get the partnerships. We're making silly errors when we're under pressure."
Australia's last five batsmen managed a total of 10 runs between them in Kolkata, while the top order rarely looked comfortable playing the spin of Kuldeep and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
"It's easy to just sit here and say 'it needs to stop', but when you get out in the middle you have to change what you're doing because it's not working," added Smith. "Watching the ball closer or maybe the guys are trying to watch it too closely and forgetting about just playing the game. It's a hard one to put my finger on. But whatever it is, it needs to change and we need to make better decisions when we're under pressure and start playing the game properly."
Marcus Stoinis remained unbeaten on 62 from 65 balls in a rare bright spot for the tourists and Smith said he had given his team mates the blueprint for how to handle the conditions and the Indian bowlers.
"He didn't panic, he was calm and he played good cricket shots," said Smith. "He was nice and positive with his intent. We just needed someone else in the top four to go on and make a score."
The teams will now travel to Indore, where they face off in the third ODI on Thursday.