Healy takes aim after poor World Cup start

FORMER Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy said he holds grave concerns for Australia’s future in the Cricket World Cup after convincing defeats in the opening two matches.

After losing by seven wickets to India, South Africa capitalised on Australia’s poor fielding and underwhelming batting to claim a 134-run win.

After the losses Australia sat second last on the table and another defeat could result in the national team’s future in the tournament being taken out of their hands.

Healy said it was clear the Australians were unfocused and ill-prepared in the lead up to their match against the Proteas.

“Unsettled is the word for me,” Healy said on SEN 1170.

“That’s so disappointing because the one thing you can control is making sure a team is settled and ready to go.

“The three games in South Africa unsettled us and [their bowlers] destabilised our batting order and we didn’t think about getting our combinations together.

“It’s unprofessional [and] they had a makeshift team in those games against South Africa.

“The South Africans looked like they wanted to eat us alive and the Indians were so animated.

“We look stiff, tired and anxious. These guys have drifted and it’s not good enough.”

Healy said he believes the sudden dropping of Alex Carey to promote Josh Inglis to the team has also added to the instability within the Australian camp.

“I thought it was unfair,” Healy said. “Carey’s batting isn’t coming good but it’s a shame when a keeper is dropped for his batting.

“It indicates that the top order isn’t doing well enough and too much is being asked of the keeper.

“We have never needed a second wicketkeeper in the World Cup [and] Inglis being in the squad means he’s keeping another bowler or batter out.

“It was a proactive shift [to Inglis] but none of the batters have been shifted on.

“This team is nowhere and they must find something fast.”

– CHARLES GOODSIR/ SEN