Brisbane: Australian captain Michael Clarke came down hard on his bowlers for leaking runs in powerplay and death overs after his side`s hard-fought 15-run win over Sri Lanka in the first final of the tri-series on Sunday.
"I was looking for an early night (finish)...and kept thinking that I can`t lose from that position. But powerplay and death overs (bowling) have been an issue with us throughout and unfortunately, it again was the case today," said Clarke after his bowlers just about managed to defend a total of 321.
Clarke said his bowlers were coming up with enough variations in the nets but somehow under pressure in the middle, they are not able to deliver.
"They are showing enough variations in the nets. But under pressure they are not able to execute it. We have to be better than that for we are the number one ranked team of the world," said a peeved Clarke.
The skipper believed the old virtues of bowling Yorkers in the death overs wasn`t been seen from his pacers and Sri Lankan Lasith Malinga could be the right example to follow.
"Yorkers are good in one-dayers. Malinga shows how effective it is but it`s just not yorkers alone. Shane Watson also showed how change of pace can be effective on a big ground for it forces batsmen to hit square of the wicket.”
"David Hussey and Xavier Doherty were the best for us. But we have to do better than that. There`s no time for training but guys know what they need to do. In a way, tonight will help us. We have to be better than that. We were lucky to get through today," said Clarke.
Clarke also acknowledged that his side wasn`t hitting stumps regularly in the field with keeper Matthew Wade missing the target umpteen times.
"Run outs are a big part of our cricket. We pride ourselves on our fielding," admitted Clarke.
The Australian win was set up by opener David Warner, who smashed a scintillating 163 but hurt his groin during the innings and is doubtful for second final in Adelaide.
"When I was turning (for a run) in the 44th or 45th over, I felt a strain in the groin. I am hoping I would be fit for the second finals," said Warner who nearly carried his bat through, being dismissed off the last ball of the innings.
"I was a bit scratchy in the first 50 runs but was conscious after that. I needed to keep one end going and if I was to get a big hundred, the team was surely to get a total in excess of 300 runs," said Warner.
This was Warner`s maiden ODI hundred but the dashing opener defended his rather average performance in instant cricket with conviction.
"The way I bat you are not going to click in every innings."
PTI
