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Optimistic Aussies

Optimistic Aussies

02/03/2012 08:53:46 PM

While disappointed to have conceded India their first win on tour, Australian captain George Bailey believes there were plenty of positives to flow from Friday night's second Twenty20 International at the MCG.

The tourists rebounded strongly from Wednesday's 31-run loss in game one of the series at ANZ Stadium to get up by eight wickets at the 'G after dismissing the Aussies for just 131 including four run outs.

Bailey said a number of line-up changes which prompted a recasting of the batting order would help to redefine the big picture ahead of next month's tour of the West Indies and, in the longer term, the T20 World Cup.

One of those changes was the inclusion of Aaron Finch which forced keeper/batsman Matthew Wade, who smashed 72 from just 43 deliveries as an opener on Wednesday, to shuffle down the order.

"One of the things we wanted to get out of the week was trying a few different people in different spots and, going forward, 'Wadey' is going to have an opportunity at the top and opportunities in the middle," said Bailey.

"Tonight I thought it was pleasing that he showed that he can achieve in both areas."

"That just gives us another option at different times."

"As much about trying to win, this week was as much about trying to find out what different people can do in different situations."

Bailey conceded the Australians were out-fielded by the tourists on Friday night and described them as a team with a 'different energy' from the line-up trounced four-nil in the recently-completed Test series.

Foremost among them was Ravi Jadeja, who was named man of the match not for his batting or bowling, but his key role in the run outs of Finch and Bailey.

Bailey agreed the win had come at a good time for the tourists with the triangular ODI series against Australia and Sri Lanka set to start in Melbourne on Sunday.

"It certainly would have been nice to keep them winless before the one-day series but, full credit to them, they outplayed us tonight, no doubt about that," he said.

"It's disappointing that we lost tonight and that India got their first win but it's probably a little surprising that it's taken until this long in the tour for India to get their first win up."

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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