Steve Smith feels that 340 would have been a good score

The Australian team knew that the ODI series will bring a tougher challenge. England look altogether a different side in the limited-overs format. After winning the Ashes 4-0, the Steve Smith led side looked to express their dominance in One-Day Internationals as well.

The first ODI was held at the iconic MCG. Australia’s recent record in ODIs is quite questionable. Prior to this match, they had lost seven out of eight games. Though the yellow army has been successful in the ODI format having won the 2015 World Cup, they have failed to replicate their past performances.

With the preparations for the 2019 World Cup already underway, the home team needs a player who can score runs in the middle order. In the first ODI, opener Aaron Finch scored a fine century. Apart from him, Davi Warner, skipper Steve Smith and Travis Head failed to get a good score.

Half centuries from Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis ensured that the home team crossed the 300-run mark which is still not considered to be a par score. And with England as the opposition, you need to score a few extra runs as they are the most improved ODI side since the World Cup a couple of years ago.

The Aussies need someone like Michael Bevan or Michael Hussey who can provide a link between the openers and the finishers. Marsh and Stoinis can play the finisher role very well but cannot be trusted to score from the 30th or the 35th over. This means that the team is heavily reliant on the top 3 batsmen.

“I think we probably left ourselves a little bit short (with the bat). If a couple of batters just stayed for a little bit longer and we gave ourselves the chance to really go hard at the back end, we probably could have got up around 340 which is probably where we needed to be.” Smith was quoted as saying after the game.

Australia were without the services of pacers Josh Hazelwood and Pat Cummins who were rested after the test series. But Andrew Tye on debut bowled beautifully finishing with an economy rate of just 4.3. The English openers got off to a flyer and from there on only one result was possible. The second ODI is set to be played in Brisbane on January 19 and the home team has enough time to bounce back in the series.