India vs Australia 2019, 3rd ODI: 3 things Australia must do to stay alive in the series

India and Australia are currently embroiled in a five-match ODI series. After India lost the T20I series 0-2, they have bounced back with two victories in the ODI series so far.

Australia have been predominantly competitive and have had their moments, but they haven’t capitalized on them. Chasing 251 at Nagpur they should have fancied themselves, but the constant fall of wickets ensured they never really had momentum on their side.

India too have had their fair share of troubles in this series with their openers struggling to put on partnerships and the number 4 position still an unsolved mystery. The shining light for them in this series so far has been Vijay Shankar’s all-round efforts in both games, especially the way in which defended 11 runs in the last over at Nagpur.

Virat Kohli continues to shatter records, becoming the fastest batsman/captain to score 9000 ODI runs on his way to a mindboggling 40th ODI century. It’s truly outstanding to see the effortless consistency of the Indian skipper.

Aaron Finch found some form in Nagpur, but, on the whole, too many Aussie batsmen got off to starts but didn’t kick on. They don’t have too much time to work with, as they take on India at the JSCA stadium in Ranchi in the third ODI which could seal the fate of the series.

Here’s looking at 3 things Australia must do to stay alive in this 5-match ODI series:

#1 Attack the Indian spinners

Australia have a middle-order that mainly looks to graft and accumulate runs. Very few players adopt the mindset to attack the bowlers in the middle overs. With Glenn Maxwell being used as a floater, the onus is on Peter Handscomb and Marcus Stoinis to attack the spinners.

India have smartly used Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Kedhar Jadhav in the middle overs and have successfully managed to curb the run scoring.

Clearly, this is where Australia are missing someone like Steven Smith who is so good against the spinners that he allows the other batsmen to get settled around him. Without him in the side, there seems to be a crisis of sorts in overs 20-40 of an innings.

If Australia need to pull one back and stay alive in this series, they must, from the outset, attack India’s spinners and unsettle them. Peter Handscomb, being the best among the Aussie batsmen against spin, must take on a leadership role and look to farm most of the strike in Ranchi.

#2 Convert starts into big scores

Shaun Marsh must come good for Australia

Australia’s slump in form in ODIs post the bans imposed on David Warner and Steven Smith is mainly down to their batsmen's inability to convert starts into bigger scores; scores that can determine the outcome of an ODI.

Smith and Warner were rather consistent on that front with the former constantly converting his fifties into big centuries. With them missing from action, the other senior batsmen in the team barring Shaun Marsh have failed to deliver for the side.

Marsh is the only Aussie batsman to score a century in recent times. He has amassed 4 centuries in his last ten matches. He certainly holds the key for Australia in their quest to remain in the hunt as far as this series is considered.

With conditions that he enjoys - going by his rather impressive IPL record for Kings XI Punjab - Marsh will have a major say in the outcome tomorrow.

With Aaron Finch, Alex Carey and Usman Khawaja looking scratchy so far in this series, Australia need Marsh to bat long and deep and hope that the other batsmen support him well.

#3 Glenn ‘Big Show’ Maxwell must produce a match-winning performance

Glenn "Big Show" Maxwell

Australia’s bowlers and a certain Glenn Maxwell’s scintillating displays with the bat ensured that the visitors won the T20I series 2-0.

Glenn Maxwell looked good in the first ODI as well before throwing it away, and he played a frustrating shot off an in-form Kuldeep Yadav to gift his wicket away at Nagpur. Australia unfortunately cannot afford another quiet game from 'The Big Show'.

His batting position can be questioned, as he is in pretty good striking form of late. He should come in earlier than number 6 or 7. The onus of finishing the innings must lie on Marcus Stoinis’s able shoulders and Maxwell should be allowed to bat with freedom.

Maxwell must remember what went right for him in the epic 113 at Bengaluru where he paced his innings to perfection. He needs to execute the same plans again in Ranchi; a big score from him is what Australia require in order to bolster their chances of staying alive and kicking in this series.