opening woes

Despite the luxury of having 5 overs of powerplay in the later part of an innings, it is how openers handle the pressure that often decides the fate of India's matches. Having two of the most destructive openers in cricket may not mean much, if they can’t stay long enough to steer India to a position where the team can think of a really big total. Weathering the early storm is as much important, as some adventurous strokeplay. Hitting few lusty strokes, and then getting out, may not mean much in the overall context of the game.

The scorecards of the first six matches for India, and five for Australia, make an interesting reading. Australia’s makeshift combinations twice scored in excess of 50 in five matches (72 in 3rd ODI and 145 in the fifth). On the other hand, India’s more accomplished pair of tendulkar and Sehwag were expected to do better, but they managed just one 50+ opening partnership (66 at Hyderabad). 1st wkt partnership scores of 25, 21, 37, 40, 66 & and 7 in six matches show poor starts for a team which banks so heavily on the two openers.

But there are times when openers will flop. Even there, Australia did one better than India. Twice they managed 100+ scores with the loss of just one wicket, and once they went past 200+. With just one match to go. India are yet to reach 100+ score without the loss of second wicket.

In this series, even if Australia played slowly against India in the initial stages, by preventing loss of wickets they ensured that they had enough ammunition for the final stages. So if they go on to win 5-2, they will have to thank their first three batsmen for this feat.