Sean Abbott rues mistakes after series loss against India

Five-time world champions Australia are not having the ideal run heading into the ODI World Cup beginning next month. They suffered their fifth consecutive defeat in the 50-over format when India secured a comfortable 99-run win (DLS method) in Indore, on Sunday, in the second ODI, to clinch the three-match series with a game to spare.

Australia conceded 399 runs before being bowled out for 217 in 28.2 overs. Seam-bowling all-rounder Sean Abbott admitted that the bowlers didn’t execute their plans and also credited the opposition batters, who pounced on the loose deliveries.

We’re not putting them under much pressure: Sean Abbott

“It showed today when we were bowling, and it was a little bit the same in South Africa, every ball that missed the stumps was put away to the fence. It’s not surprising … if you don’t execute like we did today, and last game, they’re just going to dine out and we’re not putting them under much pressure,” Abbott told Cricket Australia after the second ODI.

Australia have conceded more than 300 runs in four out of the last five matches they have played. Abbott was one of the most economical bowlers for Australia on the tour of South Africa where pitches were quite flat and heaps of runs were scored. He also bowled economically in the first ODI against India. However, he went for 91 runs in his 10 overs in the second ODI. The 31-year-old was disappointed with himself for not being at his best in the Powerplay and explained what he felt went wrong.

“It’s disappointing, especially from my end. I’d had a poor Powerplay (after) a pretty good Powerplay last game. But I pride myself on the areas that I bowl and putting pressure on the batsman that way and I’ve just noticed this tour, so far in these first two games and then in South Africa, the batters are just too good; as soon as you’re off the stumps or pitching outside leg, they’re not going to miss out. When we missed the stumps, especially up top, we were punished pretty badly, and we didn’t execute greatly with the ball,” Abbott said.