Australia vs India 2018-19: Ian Healy Lashes Out at Australian Bowlers

Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy has lashed out at the Australian fast bowlers for veering off the track. The hosts could not hit the right areas in the second ODI and India was able to level the series after winning the match by six wickets. Virat Kohli was once again the architect of India’s run-chase and Australia could not crack the code to get through the defence of the Indian skipper.

Meanwhile, Ian Healy believes the Australian pace battery strayed down the leg-side. Furthermore, the former wicketkeeper criticised Jason Behrendorff who bowled at a mundane pace in his last spell. Subsequently, Healy believes the pace battery must improve itself if they want to stay in contention for the upcoming World Cup.

Australia will like to bounce back strong.

“I just think we’ve got to get our jobs done. You’re playing for Australia in big matches,” Healy told SEN Mornings. “So Peter Siddle has got to get it right otherwise he won’t make the World Cup. Jhye Richardson has been expensive and leg-side at times, he’s got to get that right. Jason Behrendorff was another one who was too leg-side and I thought his pace was terrible at the end. I reckon he was bowling less than 130 at the end.”

Australia has decided to give rest to the likes Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, who are their first preferred fast bowlers. However, Australia will like to get to their prime before the World Cup.

“Our batsmen started really slowly and lost top-order wickets again. Get it right or we won’t see you again, We’re (ranked) number six in the world and we haven’t won a series for two years,” Healy lamented.

On the other hand, Healy believes Adam Zampa should be in the team. Nathan Lyon hasn’t been effective in the white ball format as compared to the red ball version. Thus, Healy is hopeful that Zampa can deliver the goods.

“You know what he’ll give you, Zampa will give you swing, he won’t give you much spin so I don’t know whether we call him a legspinner,” Healy said. “He sort of rolls in-swinging slow balls that are hard to hit across the line so I’d love to see him rip a leg spinner every now and then to keep the batsmen wary.”

The series decider will take place at Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 18.