Zampa gets support from a legend

Former ODI batsman Mike Hussey believes Australia may well have cost themselves by playing without a frontline spinner in their second ODI defeat to Pakistan at the MCG on Sunday night.

After posting what skipper Steve Smith said was an under-par total of 220, the Australians were only able to take four wickets as Pakistan levelled the five-match series at one-all.

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The visitors had successfully employed a spin-heavy strategy in Melbourne, with a combined 24 overs of slow bowling returning total figures of 3-97.

Conversely, Smith opted for just one over of Travis Head's part-time off-breaks until the match was all but done, when the young South Australian returned to the bowling crease for another 1.4 overs to finish off the contest.

"(Australia has) gone in really pace heavy," Hussey told Optus Sport's Stumps show.

"I think another front-line spinner would really help the balance of the team.

"We’re probably one quickie too heavy at the moment so I honestly think (Adam) Zampa would do a good job through those middle overs.

"He picks up handy wickets and that’s very important in one-day cricket."

Zampa was the leading wicket-taker in ODIs worldwide in 2016, striking 30 times in 19 matches, however the leg-spinner hasn't featured in either match against Pakistan, and played just once in the three-match home ODI series against the Black Caps last month.

Smith defended his decision to utilise his pace bowlers in the run chase, pointing out Australia's lack of runs as the chief issue in the defeat.

"Head bowled that one over (the 14th, went for 11 runs) and they went after him quite a bit," the skipper said post-match.

"The wicket was pretty two-paced and a bit up-and-down as well so I thought the quicks were going to get the job done tonight.

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"I think we did pretty well to take it to 47 overs or thereabouts with 220 on the board – it's not much to defend.

"And there was a bit of dew on the field that sped the wicket up a bit. I think the last 15 overs were probably the best time to bat all day.

"It was difficult for the spinners tonight.

"Our batting has been pretty ordinary, taking (centurion) Matthew Wade aside in Brisbane.

"That's something we need to look at in Perth (in Thursday's third ODI).

"We need to start forming some partnerships to get the scores we're after."