Australia captain Pat Cummins said his team is
“hurting” after suffering two significant defeats in as many games to
open the 2023 ODI World Cup, but they must find a way to rebuild and “make
amends.”
“I think if we want to be challenging, you [have]
got to try and find a way in all conditions, and that’s for the bowlers try and
take wickets and for the batters try and score runs,” Cummins told the
host broadcaster after the match.
“Probably not much needs to be said [to my
team-mates] tonight. I think everyone’s hurting. We’ve got a few days and the
next game’s here as well. So we’ll group and regroup…everyone’s hurting. So
we’re trying to make amends.”
Following their six-wicket opening loss to India in
Chennai, Australia found themselves at No. 9 on the points standings after
giving up for 177 in the 134-run loss to South Africa. In a tournament that has
already seen 12 hundreds, their batting struggled on both occasions, with 46
being the highest individual score from their lineup throughout the matches.
Their bowling and fielding against South Africa were
equally subpar; they missed six catches.
“I wouldn’t say it’s one thing [where Australia
went wrong],” he said. “Maybe they [South Africa] got a few more than
we would have liked. And obviously 177 is off the mark as well. So yeah, it’s a
few things we need to tidy up.”