Australia’s batting looks completely unsettled, their bowling inconsistent, and fielding full of errors. Is this really the same Australia? These days, you almost have to look at the jersey to recognize them. For nearly a year now, the reigning world champions have been going through an extremely tough phase in ODI cricket.
In the ongoing series against South Africa, Australia have lost the first two matches. But it’s not just about losing — they failed to put up any real fight in either game. This, sadly, has become their recurring pattern in recent months.
Ironically, this is the most successful team in ODI history. They’re not only six-time world champions but also hold the record for the most ODI wins along with countless milestones. Their 2023 World Cup triumph perfectly reflected their pedigree — after starting with two losses, they bounced back in style, winning nine matches in a row to lift the trophy. Their stunning win in the Ahmedabad final silenced a packed stadium, scripting what felt like a fairytale victory.
That momentum continued after the World Cup as well. They whitewashed West Indies 3-0 at home and then clinched the first two ODIs in England last September. With 14 consecutive ODI wins, Australia looked unstoppable.
But the slide began in that very England series, losing the final two matches. Though they eventually won the series 3-2, that remains their last ODI series victory.
Since then, things have gone downhill. Last November, Pakistan secured their first ODI series win in Australia in 22 years. Earlier this year, Australia lost both ODIs in Sri Lanka ahead of the Champions Trophy. In the tournament itself, they began brilliantly by chasing 352 against England, but rain washed out games against South Africa and Afghanistan, and a defeat to India saw them exit before the semifinals.
After a five-and-a-half-month break, Australia returned to ODIs against South Africa, only to suffer massive defeats by 98 and 84 runs. Shockingly, they failed to cross 200 runs in either match. This doesn’t look like the Australia we’ve known.
Overall, in their last eight completed ODIs, Australia have managed just one win. Even more staggering — they failed to reach 200 runs in six of those matches.
Yes, injuries, rest, and workload management have deprived them of key players since the World Cup. Stars like Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell have retired, leaving some gaps. But Australia has never been a team to hide behind excuses. They’re known for their fighting spirit, for never giving up, no matter the circumstances. Yet lately, that very fighting edge seems to be missing.
Some believe Australia simply don’t focus much on ODIs unless a World Cup is around the corner — and maybe there’s some truth to that. For example, Pat Cummins, the World Cup-winning captain, has played only two ODIs since lifting the trophy. Perhaps they’re saving their energy for the next big event.
Still, watching Australia surrender match after match is rare.
Following Friday’s series defeat, stand-in captain Mitchell Marsh couldn’t hide his frustration:
“Yes, it’s definitely disappointing. With the ball, we managed to keep them in check (in the second match), and the target was very much within reach on this pitch. But with the bat, we simply didn’t deliver. They bowled well, swung the ball early, but we failed with our batting. Honestly, they just blew us away.”
Now, Marsh and his men will step onto the field on Sunday with one goal — avoiding a humiliating whitewash.
