Margao, Oct. 22: A short series that was to be a run-up to the high-profile Ashes has gone from bad to worse for Australia. They lost the Test series 0-2, and are 0-1 down in the one-day series with just one match remaining in Margao on Sunday, after the first one-dayer in Kochi was washed out.
Now, the Aussies face the disastrous prospect of ending the tour without a win, a rarity for the once invincible Baggy Greens. The situation will become even more difficult with the series against old foes England round the corner.
However, one man who has been watching from the sidelines, coach Tim Nielsen, feels it is a huge learning experience for his young team, who are minus the likes of skipper Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson.
“The mood in the camp is very positive. One of the benefits of having a young and inexperienced squad is that they are really excited about every opportunity that they get to play for Australia,” he said on Friday.
Nielsen wasn’t too concerned over his side’s five-wicket loss to India in the second ODI on Wednesday.
“While, we lost the game the other night (in Visakapatnam). There were some real positives that came out of it, the kid (Mitchell) Starc is only 20 years old, (John) Hastings in his first game was exceptional I thought.
“So they look keen to get a game on Sunday and have another chance to play for Australia. As we get older like me, that’s when you start getting a bit down about results. The young blokes just jump out of bed and are really keen,” Nielsen reasoned.