An injury to key players is a nightmare for any coach. And it is Tim Nielsen who is having sleepless nights on this tour.
Australia's coach has struggled to put together a team in every match, and after each One-Day International in the ongoing seven-match series he has had a new worry. Seldom has international cricket witnessed a team lose players to injury so frequently, and Nielsen is the first to admit that all isn't well with the Aussies.
"Injuries have been unsettling for us," he admits.
"From game to game it has gone from bad to worse. We have had to incorporate changes in the team more often than we would have wanted. It is never nice to have so many injury worries."
Injuries have seen Australia lose the services of key players like Michael Clarke, Brett Lee and James Hopes. And if Nielsen's woes weren't enough already, he has had a new addition to the list, Moises Henriques.
The Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder, drafted in as standby [and later replacement] for Hopes is now ruled out of Thursday's fifth one-dayer in Hyderabad.
"Moises had a scan and it revealed that he had damaged his right hamstring," explained Nielsen, before adding philosophically, "that means yet another change in the team".
However, the coach soon tried to camouflage that philosophical attitude with a tinge of optimism.
"Injuries apart, we are getting better," he explained. "We are excited about our young players and the way they are performing."
Nielsen also took the opportunity to eulogize his captain.
"With all the injury worries in our team, Ricky Ponting had to take on added responsibility and he has so far put on a great show," he said.
"That is why he is such a great player. The same holds true for Michael (Hussey) as well," added Nielsen, as an afterthought.
A section of the media has pointed out how the Australians aren't happy with a seven-match series and the coach isn't denying that either.
"We have spoken about the utility of a seven-game series for some time now," admitted Nielsen. "Five is probably right. But more matches are scheduled keeping television interests in mind and we can't complain when that is the issue.
"A packed schedule does make things difficult. But we understand that it is going to be hectic with new tournaments like the Champions League coming up. So what we need to do is to adjust to the schedule as best as we can."
In addition to the injuries, another factor worrying the Aussies is their inability to cash in on the Power Plays. And Nielsen has no qualms in accepting that the said period has been his team's cup of woes in the series.
"We seem to be scoring at a better rate before the Power Play and slowing down in that period with the loss of the wicket," he explained, before going on to give what he feels is the reason.
"When you lose a wicket in the first over of Power Play it is a worry and takes away the momentum. It has happened to us in all the four games so far."
