'Could be the Achilles heel': Australia series loss to Sri Lanka exposes what they could miss from Mitchell Starc's withdrawal
Updated . First published at
As the second ODI approached the final over of Sri Lanka's innings, Steve Smith had prepared to have Aaron Hardie bowl at the death.
With Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott having bowled out of their overs, the only paceman left was Hardie.
Matt Short, Tanveer Sangha, Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell all had overs left but it would've been one almighty leap of faith.
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Hardie's first ball was a wide, the second dropped short of Dwarshuis in the boundary and the third was fumbled by Short and went for six. The fourth? You guessed it, a six down the ground.
Steve Smith reacts to Matt Short's drop. Seven Network
Overall, 16 runs came from it with Charith Asalanka showing his fatigue towards the end.
Of course, if two catches were taken it's a different story.
However, Simon Katich raised a point that will serve as a warning for the Champions Trophy.
"This could be the Achilles heel for Australia for the Champions Trophy with no Mitchell Starc at the back end of the innings," he said on Seven.
Mitchell Starc will miss the Champions Trophy. Getty
Starc has withdrawn from the tournament for personal reasons.
The man who is likely to replace Starc at the death is Spencer Johnson, who finished with 2-44 from seven overs in the first ODI.
Speaking after the first match loss, Johnson admitted there has been nerves about taking on the role of Australia's best.
"It's something I have pictured in my mind, come in and play a similar role to him (Starc). There was a bit of nerves there," he told reporters.
"I think I am better for the run, it's only my third ODI, hopefully a few more and I'll be able to replicate some of the stuff he's done."
