Oz inability to destroy opposing teams a serious issue: Clarke

LONDON - Stand in skipper Michael Clarke has said that inability to destroy opposing teams is becoming a serious issue for the Australian team.

Clarke was at loss of words after Sri Lanka staged one of the great comebacks, setting up a one-wicket win with 34 balls left in their opening one-day international in Melbourne.

The Lankans who were out of the contest at 107 for eight, in reply to Australia’s 239 for eight from 50 overs, came back strongly with help of a record ninth-wicket stand between Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga to secure a thrilling victory.

Their 132-run partnership set a world record for the ninth wicket in one-day internationals, beating a mark that had stood for 27 years, The Telegraph reports.

Clarke, who is deputising for Ricky Ponting, said: “What I’m so disappointed about is we got so close again and we couldn’t finish the game off, which is an issue we’ve had for a while now in all three forms of the game.”

“We’ve got to look at that and ask ourselves questions, find out what we can do to improve that. Execution cost us with both bat and ball - having them 8-107 we got hit around the park,” he said.

“Mathews is a very good player but Malinga is a No 10, a good No 10, but he’s still a No 10 batsman. If we’re good enough to execute our plans and get the top order out, I don’t see any reason why we can’t do it to the tailenders.

“But it’s not the first time it’s happened and it’s something we need to look at,” Clarke added. (ANI)