Australian great Ian Healy has taken aim at the ‘schoolyard bully’ approach from the opening batters against Pakistan in the ODI series opener.
The new-look pairing of Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk were both dismissed cheaply on Monday night, but the Aussies managed to sneak home by two wickets thanks to a match-saving knock from skipper Pat Cummins.
Short was out for just 1 in the run chase, while Fraser-McGurk was caught for 16 after spooning a delivery from Naseem Shah straight to a fielder.
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Speaking on SEN Radio, the former Test wicket-keeper took aim at the pair and believes the Aussies need to ‘play these games properly’ heading into the Champions Trophy.
“We have got a lot to learn,” Healy said.
Jake Fraser-McGurk failed to make an impact on Monday night. Getty
“We are gearing up for a Champions Trophy, so there aren’t many trials before a team has to be selected. We should be playing these games properly.
“Our shot selection was poor and to me, Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk were playing like schoolyard bullies. The disregard for the conditions wasn’t good enough.
“The bowlers and Mitch Starc said during the innings break that the pitch was two-paced and uneven in bounce.
“So what do we do? We think we can go out and slog the Pakistani bowlers all over the place. The batters didn’t learn anything … they didn’t regard the opposition enough.
“It wasn’t good enough. We won but just and with 17 overs to spare.”
Short and Fraser-McGurk have both been granted golden opportunities to cement a permanent spot in the one-day line-up, with Travis Head on paternity leave.
While the criticism of their performances from Healy could shift the way the duo look at the contest, Short claims they won’t be toning it down.
Matt Short. Getty
“The coaching staff give us both the licence just to be free,” he said on Tuesday.
“I think batting with Travis Head as well, if he goes then I sort of let him go and do my thing and it’s probably similar with Jake.
“It probably didn’t quite come off last night, but if he’s seeing them well and hitting them well then I’ll just let him do his thing and probably not say too much to him.
“The more important thing in a partnership is if he’s struggling a bit and he’s trying to work through whatever we’re faced with, if there’s any issues or whatnot.
“I obviously wasn’t out there long enough to help him through that.”
The next ODI clash will be held on Friday at Adelaide Oval.