Need partnerships with bat and ball - Brad Haddin

Although they completely outplayed India in the first match of the seven-game ODI series, Australia have earmarked areas that they want to improve on as the series progresses. While addressing the media ahead of the training session at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin talked about the lessons his team has learnt from the first game. He also spoke about the areas that they will be looking strengthen as they prepare to take on India in the second ODI on Wednesday in Jaipur. (Also Read: India vs Australia Star Sports 2nd ODI 2013: Preview)

“It is important to start the series well. The big thing about a seven-game series is that you can get better as you go through. There are areas that we have identified that we need to work on moving forward. It was a good result in Game 1, but we have six more matches to play, and the next important task for us is performing well here tomorrow,” Haddin said.

When asked if the Australians were satisfied with the way they used the short ball against which the Indian batsmen are seemingly vulnerable, Haddin replied, “I don’t think we used the short ball anymore than we have in any other game that we play. I think we were very satisfied with the result we got in the first game. A tournament is about getting better as you move forward. There are definitely areas that we plan to bowl to certain players, but there is enough technology around to know what bowlers do and what their strengths and weaknesses are.”

And when asked if the length that their bowlers maintained and their extra pace were the difference between the two sides the last time around, Haddin said, “No, I think the difference was that we had some pretty good partnerships with both the bat and ball. But there are definitely areas that we can improve on there as well.”

“We probably lost a bit too many wickets in the middle and did not allow a set batsman to be there in the end and were probably 20 runs short of where we should have been. I think partnerships with both bat and ball will be crucial in the series,” he added.

Aaron Finch and George Bailey’s innings were the highlights for the visitors in Game 1. Speaking about Finch’s outing, Haddin said, “It was a very good knock considering the circumstance of the game; we had just lost a couple of wickets (when he went in to bat) and the way he controlled the middle half of that game was outstanding. No matter what form of the game you are playing, it is important to score runs, and the other stuff will take care of itself. Our focus is to have a good series here. And like all the batsmen, George is no different.”

“He is a good student of the game. He enjoys talking about the game and his captaincy is very relaxed,” he added.

Further elaborating on Finch, Haddin stated, “Like most players who have come into an international side at this stage, he is just starting to feel comfortable in the environment. And that is important for us… to make guys feel comfortable as soon as we possibly can when they come in. We know the talent that he is and he is a very dangerous guy to have out there. So it has been great for us. He has also got a very smart cricket brain, so he brings a lot from that point of view.”

As they prepare to take on India at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Australia will be looking to strengthen their position in the series. With Shane Watson and James Faulkner having played the IPL and the CLT20 here recently – for the Rajasthan Royals – their inputs would add value to the team. While speaking about the Jaipur ground, Haddin observed that the outfield looked good and added, “Traditionally I think the wicket here has been a good batting wicket. And we are talking to Shane Watson and James Faulkner since they have played here in the IPL. Traditionally it’s a high-scoring wicket.”

source: bcci.tv