Ian Healy rips into Aussies as glaring issue raises head again at World Cup
The former Australian wicketkeeper has laid into Australia's middle order for underperforming
Former Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy has laid into Australia’s middle order for another poor performance against England in the World Cup. Australia defeated England by 33 runs, knocking out the defending champions, as they made it five straight but the showing was far from perfect.
Healy put Australia's middle order on blast for failing to once again build on the foundation set by the top order. “They all threw their wickets away,” Healy said on SENQ.
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“It’s just not good enough. I was really pleased that we got a lot of hard work done because we were two wickets down for not many. Travis Head and David Warner were gone and for Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, it was made for them.
“Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis and Cameron Green could’ve powered up at the end (but) they were quite wasteful as well. They just did enough (and) we still have plenty of work to do (to improve).”
Labuschagne top scored with 71 runs, with Green (47) and Stoinis (35) chipping in. Despite a strong recovery after losing two early wickets, Australia were unable to crack the 300-run mark, all out for 286. The former Australian wicket-keeper said the Aussies were fortunate that Adam Zampa's stellar run of form continued with the bat and ball or they would have likely lost the match.
“The problem was that he (Zampa) had to be that good,” Healy said. "We relied on his batting which was the difference. He made 29 runs which is why we were able to post a score to win by 30. We were very reliant on Zampa.”
Adam Zampa makes World Cup history
The Aussie spinner claimed a special piece of history in Australia's win over England, with the spinner finishing with 3-21 helping bowl the Poms out for 253. Zampa's three-wicket haul means he is the first man in ODI World Cup history to take at least three wickets in five consecutive matches.
Zampa's performance against England also won him man of the match honours but more importantly put Australia in the box seat to finish third, meaning they will likely avoid red-hot India in the semi. Australia are now a game clear of Pakistan and New Zealand with a match in hand, meaning they only need to win one of their remaining games against Afghanistan and Bangladesh to secure a semi-final spot.
"I feel like every game we've just improved a little bit," Pat Cummins said after the match. "The good thing is, every game there's different match winners and it feels like it's all coming together."
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