Smith: Average shots in the middle overs

Australia captain Steve Smith put the blame squarely on the batsmen after his side went down by eight runs to New Zealand in their opening World T20 game on Friday.
The Aussies needed 143 to win on a slow surface in Dharamsala and got off to reasonable start with openers Shane Watson and Usman Khawaja putting on 44 within the first six overs.
But the Kiwis fought back in the middle-overs as Australia's batsmen went for one big shot after the other to fall eight runs short of their target, ending on 134 for nine.
Smith said after the game: "I think when the ball got a little bit older, it chewed up pretty quickly and as you could see there was quite a bit of spin.
"That's always difficult to play. Credit to the New Zealand bowlers, they got the ball in the right areas and made us play some pretty average shots.
"For us it is about finding a way between overs seven and 15, trying to build a few partnerships.
"It might not be about clearing the fence, it might be about getting a lot of singles, getting off strike, getting lots of twos, something that we haven't done so well and didn't do well again today."
Smith added: "I think its just about going out there and making sure we learn from our mistakes in this game. I think the way we play, we can win and lose games in the 7-15 overs."
Australia will look to bounce back from the defeat when they take on Bangladesh in Bangalore on Monday.
Latest
-
News
England seal series win over Sri Lanka on dramatic day in Galle
Spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess shared eight wickets between them before Dom Sibley and Jos Buttler guided the tourists home.
-
News
England in pole position for 2-0 series win after Jack Leach and Dom Bess strike
The tourists need 164 to secure victory.
-
News
England chasing 164 to beat Sri Lanka after Jack Leach and Dom Bess dominate
The hosts were dismissed for just 126 on the fourth afternoon.
-
News
Dom Bess and Jack Leach spin Sri Lanka into serious trouble in Galle
England are closing in on a series win.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 3: England skipper Joe Root’s brilliant form continues
Root’s 186 helped England battle back against Sri Lanka in Galle.
-
News
Jos Buttler: Everyone can learn something from watching Joe Root play spin
England’s captain scored another Test century in Galle.
-
News
5 biggest Test knocks of England captain Joe Root’s career
Root’s superb showing in Galle moved him up to fourth in the list of his country’s highest Test run scorers.
-
News
Joe Root puts on another batting masterclass in Sri Lanka before late dismissal
The England captain departed having scored 186 of England’s 339 for nine in Galle.
-
News
England rely on Joe Root again as he defies Sri Lanka with another century
He hit an unbeaten 137 as England reached tea at 252 for six to trail their hosts by 129 runs.
-
News
England stay alive in Sri Lanka as Joe Root claims another century
The Yorkshireman has reached three figures in consecutive matches for the first time in his career.