Room for improvement with two matches left to play in Zimbabwe, says Aussie quick Andrew Tye
Lack of execution to blame for loss: Tye
Australia’s lack of execution with the ball was the reason they succumbed to Pakistan in Thursday's T20 tri-series match, according to quick Andrew Tye.
Australia were thumped by 45 runs, with Fakhar Zaman’s 73 setting up Pakistan’s innings before youngster Shaheen Afridi claimed 3-37 in just his second T20 International match.
Pakistan were a vastly different side than the one that lost to Australia by nine wickets just three days ago, taking 51 runs from the power play on Thursday, up from 23 in their first encounter as they displayed a clear intent to attack.
The world No.1 side was able to nullify Billy Stanlake, who took 4-8 in their last meeting, as they attacked the quicks and forced Australian captain Aaron Finch to turn to his spinners to stem the flow of runs.
"We didn't execute our plans very well. We probably set our fields a bit wrong at times as well," Tye said.
"They knew what we were going to come out and do, and they attacked us pretty hard at the start."
In contrast to Pakistan's powerful batting, Australia’s middle-order contributed just 38 runs and were seemingly hampered by a lack of match practice after Finch and D’Arcy Short had occupied the crease for the majority of Australia's first two matches in Harare.
Finch was dismissed for 16, his lowest T20 score of 2018. For the tri-series to date, he has scored 256 runs, while the remainder of the Australian XI has produced 208 combined, and his cheap dismissal proved a telling blow.
But although the middle-order lacked match practice, Tye denied their preparation had been a factor in Thursday's defeat.
"These guys are world-class athletes, they’re the best at what they do.
"If they are walking out to the crease not ready to perform, well then they haven’t prepared well enough. I don’t think that’s a factor.
"The work they’ve done in the nets against bowlers and with the coaches is second to none. We were just off the mark today.”
Tye’s own form in 2018 has been sublime in the shortest format. He is currently the leading T20 wicket taker across the world having claimed 22 wickets across 14 matches.
He has taken nine wickets in Australia’s three matches in this tri-series to date, at an average of 9.44 and strike rate of 7.18, and while he’s been his side’s most successful wicket taker - and easily the most damaging bowler across all three teams, with Stanlake next on the list with five scalps - he believes there is plenty of room for improvement.
"I’m happy with how I have been bowling, but I haven’t been completely happy with it,” Tye said.
"The fact I’m taking wickets is good, but I'd like to cut the runs down a bit. Today my last over went for 19, lots of room for improvement there."
Australia play Zimbabwe in their final group match on Friday before a re-match with Pakistan in Sunday’s final, with the match to be broadcast on Fox Sports from 6pm AEST.
Qantas Tour of Zimbabwe
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D'Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth
Pakistan squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Asif Ali, Hussain Talat, Haris Sohail, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Usman Khan Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sahibzada Farhan.
Zimbabwe squad: Hamilton Masakadza (c), Cephas Zhuwao, Chamu Chibhabha, Brian Chari, Tarisai Musakanda, Malcolm Waller, PJ Moor, Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Mpofu, Ryan Burl, Solomon Mire, Wellington Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Ryan Murray
July 1: Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 74 runs
July 2: Australia beat Pakistan by 9 wickets
July 3: Australia beat Zimbabwe by 100 runs
July 4: Pakistan beat Zimbabwe by 7 wickets
July 5: Pakistan beat Australia by 45 runs
July 6: Australia vs Zimbabwe
July 8: Final