‘Feels like we don't care’ - Michael Clarke questions Cricket Australia over resting senior players in third ODI

Australia team management decided to rest Test cricketers for the third ODI against Pakistan in Perth. Captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne missed the final ODI, which resulted in Australia losing the match by eight wickets and also the series 2-1. 

Notably, The series was poised 1-1 and former cricketer Michael Clarke expected the players to feature in the final ODI, given the situation. However, after the second ODI, Cummins confirmed their unavailability and that surprised Clarke. After the defeat, he launched a scathing attack on the team management, stating that they didn’t care about the outcome. He reminded that 11 days were remaining ahead of the first Test against India and added that the players should have featured in the third ODI.

“I'm just a bit confused, so 11 days between now and the first Test (in Perth), why can't the Aussie boys who are part of this Test series play in the one-dayer. If Australia had won the first two games, then you can understand why they rest their big fish, but it was series on the line. I feel like we obviously don't care about losing that series,” Clarke said on Big Sports Basket.

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“If you're not going to care, we're not going to care. You can't expect the fans to want to come and watch one-day cricket. We are bagging one-day cricket, no one is turning up, hasn't got the interest,” the 43-year-old elaborated. 

Australia lost the final ODI and series vs Pakistan

Meanwhile, in the third ODI, Australia’s batting unit once again flopped as they were bundled for 140 runs. Sean Abbott was the leading run-scorer, with 30 runs to his name while Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah picked up a three-wicket haul each. The visitors had a great time with the bat in the second innings, winning it with over 23 overs remaining.

Up next, Australia will lock horns in a three-match T20I series against Pakistan, starting November 14. Gabba, Sydney and Hobart will host the three T20I matches and the five-match Test assignment against India will begin on November 22.