Australian cricketer Ben McDermott feels the Kangaroo team will have the edge over India when the teams face each other for the series decider T20I in Sydney.
The Australian team have now taken a lead of 1-0 in the three-match T20I series after rain denied Team India a shot at drawing the series in 2ndT20I at Melbourne. Aaron Finch-led Australia have won the series opener T20 in Brisbane on Wednesday by four runs.
“It is not every day you have the opportunity to win a series for Australia (against a team like India). We’re doing the right things and we’ve got one win on the board, we just need that one more,” McDermott said after the 2nd T20I.
Australia posted 132 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 19 overs. And later the target was revised to 137 in 19 overs for India. When the rain did not stop the target was once again revised to 90 runs in 11 overs and later 46 from five overs. However, due to heavy rain, the visiting team was not even able to play a single ball and the match was later called off.
“It was very frustrating especially with the rain following us around (in all T20 matches). We had set ourselves up nicely for the 19th over but we lost momentum with Jasprit Bumrah bowling the 18th over. But overall it was very frustrating night being on and off with rain,” added McDermott
Comparing the opening T20 match with the second T20I, McDermott said Australia’s shaky start made the difference in not getting a big score as compared to the Brisbane game.
“Three down in the powerplay as opposed to one the other day made the difference. We saw at the Gabba we were 1 for 38, which isn’t a massive powerplay, but we only lost one wicket, so I think that was the main talking point,” he said, adding, “If we’re building a big total then we need to get those guys (Australian top-order) batting for longer periods of time. They’re some of the best batters in the world,” McDermott added.
Speaking about Kuldeep Yadav, McDermott said, “We were picking him pretty well. I was struggling a bit early but started to pick him a bit better as my innings progressed, which is pretty normal. We just need to sharpen up on that and I think that’ll come with hopefully a nicer day and wicket (in Sydney).”