Terrible Fielding Costs Australia

Australia’s last over ODI defeat to India on Friday was the culmination of the worst fielding performance by an Australian team I have ever seen.

Among the main offenders were probably the two people you would least expect – Ricky Ponting and David Warner. They contributed lacklustre misfields to the dismal display that featured consistently throughout the Indian innings.

Reverse the 6-10 runs given away, two missed shys at the stumps from Clarke and a brain explosion underarm from Ryan Harris in response to an Indian mix up and Australia get home.

They could be the signs of complacency creeping into the Aussie camp after only 1 loss (at the time) this year. Hopefully the loss clicks them back into the gear and Australian team return to their alert, white hot selves in the field.

Clint McKay will be lucky to get death bowling duties again after his debacle of a last over. He handed India the win on a platter with his 2 ball combo of a half volley on off stump and a no-ball full toss. Dhoni helped himself to 9 runs off 1 ball. Be wary when analysing the success of McKay earlier in the game. His wickets were all quite lucky. A ball down leg which Sehwag leading edged up to an off side fielder, an LBW which pitched outside leg and normally wouldn’t be given and a slog from Kohli caught on the boundary.

Ponting will be starting to feel pressure on his ODI spot now. Only 9 runs from the 3 tri series games and an average of only 26 from his past 10 matches.