Australian media blast team's inability to play spin, want Michael Clarke to retire from ODIs after the 2015 World Cup

Michael Clarke

Australia suffered a humiliating loss against Zimbabwe in the triangular ODI fixture on Sunday, going down by 3 wickets. The Kangaroos lost their first ever ODI against the African nation since 1983, which marked the minnow side’s entry into the limited overs format.

Following the embarrassment, the Australian media have attacked captain Michael Clarke and called for his resignation post the 2015 World Cup at home.

“Michael Clarke’s latest hamstring injury during Australia’s embarrassing loss to Zimbabwe overnight highlights why the national captain must give up one-day cricket after the World Cup,” senior cricket writer Malcolm Conn said in his report in the Daily Telegraph.

Referring to the triangular ODI tournament involving South Africa and hosts Zimbabwe as a “meaningless” one, Conn further claims that the former World Champions went into the series underprepared.

“As damning as it is for some of the richest cricketers in the world to lose to some of the poorest, it is not the first time an underprepared Australia has lost to a minnow in a meaningless tournament,” the report read.

Back problems

Conn reasoned the 33-year-old’s persistent back problems and pointed out his frequent absence from his position as Australian skipper owing to the same with concern.

“The Australian captain has been forced to manage a degenerative back since he was 17 and at 33 it is only getting worse. Since he replaced Ricky Ponting as captain in early 2011 Clarke has missed 25 of 67 one-day matches as captain and will miss another two in this tournament. He will fly home on Tuesday for further treatment,” stated the article.

Clarke was forced to leave the pitch in the 43rd over after a carefully made 68* with his side reeling at 147/5 in 42.2 overs.

Struggle against spin

None of the top order barring Clarke looked at ease against the home side’s four-way spin attack. Despite the visitors missing a number of key players including opener David Warner and all-rounder Shane Watson, the everlasting problem against spin remains a worry. Australia were bowled out for 209 largely due to Brad Haddin’s 49 and Ben Cutting’s quick 26 later in the innings.

“Given the slow, dry, turning pitch in Harare and the number of frontline players Australia had missing, little can be read into the result heading towards the World Cup. However, there should be considerable dismay at Australia’s continued inability to play spin.

“Embarrassed 4-0 in India last year on similar pitches and then humbled 3-0 in England on dry and dodgy decks made for now-retired spinner Graeme Swann (both in Tests), Australia remains a sitting duck on tour.

“Anyone who wants to beat Australia simply has to shave their pitches bare and lock away their hoses,” Conn further wrote.

Zimbabwe threatened to run away with the chase with George Bailey as stand-in captain. Notably, Clarke’s reappearance in the field arrested the run flow and Australia sniffed an outside chance when they removed three Zimbabwe batsmen for 5 runs soon after a free flowing Brendan Taylor helped them reach 100/2 in 21.5 overs. However, Elton Chigumbura’s unbeaten 52 sealed the game and Lyon’s 4-fer went in vain.