Poor shot selection cost us: Edwards
First Published : 08 Feb 2013, 18:53
Last Modified : 08 Feb 2013, 18:53
England lost a low-scoring high-pressure match to Australia in their first Super Six encounter of the 2013 ICC Women’s World Cup at the Brabourne Stadium. The Charlotte Edwards-led side was bowled out for 145 while chasing 148 runs.
While speaking to the media later, Edwards appreciated the efforts of her bowlers, but she said that their batters needed to step up for the upcoming matches.
Excerpts from her post-match press conference:
On the game against Australia
We were delighted with the way we bowled […]. All the bowlers bowled fantastically and we will take 147 anytime against Australia; we should have knocked off those runs. It didn’t have anything to do with the wicket and to be fair we just didn’t capitalise [on the bad balls]. [...] So, it was our poor shot selection at times [that did us in].
On their plan while chasing
We were going to bat like we normally do when we are trying to set a total and capitalise on the bad bowling. Obviously, the first ten overs are the key, so [would want to] nullify there attack. I got a poor decision and a couple of bad shots didn’t help. […] It looked like we were chasing 250 really.
On how it felt with the match going to and fro
It definitely turned a bit nervy down there for the last 40 runs. The turning point for me was the last dismissal where they built a really good partnership, where they worked through the middle and rebuilt well. And yes, [there was] another tough decision there for us. But still towards the end [Holly] Colvin and [Anya] Shrubsole are probably the most calm people at the wicket, so we were always confident that they are capable of getting the runs; and was not to be.
On whether there are concerns about the middle order
No, not at all. I think individually they have all stood up at times; collectively maybe we haven’t batted as well. I think India is the only game we have collectively batted as we would have liked to. So yes, our bowling is brilliant; our batting is something that we need to improve on, but I am not worried. Sarah Taylor hasn’t scored runs in the competition so far, but she is dangerous and hopefully there are big things to come from her.
We have to come out strong against South Africa. [...] I think net run rate is going to play a big part now.
On whether Sarah Taylor’s form is a cause for concern
She got a good ball the other day. Sarah normally hits them through the covers. I have no doubt she is too good a player to go through too many games without scoring. So hopefully with two big games to come, she will fire for us.
