MELBOURNE - Stand-in captain Michael Clarke says that Australia's inability to kill off opposing teams is becoming a serious issue.
Clarke was left nonplussed after Sri Lanka, on the back of a record ninth-wicket stand between Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga, staged one of the great comebacks, setting up a one-wicket win with 34 balls left in their opening one-day international in Melbourne yesterday.
The tourists were seemingly out for the count at 107 for eight in reply to Australia's 239 for eight from 50 overs, only to come storming back to victory.
Their 132-run partnership set a world record for the ninth wicket in one-day internationals, beating the mark that had stood for 27 years.
Clarke, who was deputising for Ricky Ponting, who was away at a family funeral in Tasmania, was concerned about the team's growing habit of letting the opposition off the hook. It was also their sixth straight loss in all forms of the game, going back to July.
Australia have two more one-dayers against Sri Lanka before the first Ashes Test against England in Brisbane on November 25.
"What I'm so disappointed in 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," Clarke said.
"We've got to look at that and ask ourselves questions, find out what we can do to improve that.
"Having them 8-107 we got hit around the park. 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 why we can't do it to the tailenders."
Aussie cricketers show lack of killer instinct
MELBOURNE - Stand-in captain Michael Clarke says that Australia's inability to kill off opposing teams is becoming a serious issue.
Clarke was left nonplussed after Sri Lanka, on the back of a record ninth-wicket stand between Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga, staged one of the great comebacks, setting up a one-wicket win with 34 balls left in their opening one-day international in Melbourne yesterday.
The tourists were seemingly out for the count at 107 for eight in reply to Australia's 239 for eight from 50 overs, only to come storming back to victory.
Their 132-run partnership set a world record for the ninth wicket in one-day internationals, beating the mark that had stood for 27 years.
Clarke, who was deputising for Ricky Ponting, who was away at a family funeral in Tasmania, was concerned about the team's growing habit of letting the opposition off the hook. It was also their sixth straight loss in all forms of the game, going back to July.
Australia have two more one-dayers against Sri Lanka before the first Ashes Test against England in Brisbane on November 25.
"What I'm so disappointed in 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," Clarke said.
"We've got to look at that and ask ourselves questions, find out what we can do to improve that.
"Having them 8-107 we got hit around the park. 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 why we can't do it to the tailenders."
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