Mitchell Owen commented on his approach at the wicket with the bat following a game-changing innings in the first T20I of the five-match series against the West Indies. He stated that his goal was to get started from the first ball.
He also discussed batting at No. 6, having opened the batting for the entirety of his cricketing career.
“I honestly tried not to stare at the pitch too much and instead react to each ball, which I believe served me well. Obviously, it’s a little different, but my process and gameplan weren’t too far off from the beginning. We had to strike at 10s or nines when I came out, so I had to be pleasant and optimistic. If I took the time to attempt to get into the innings, I believe I would dig myself a hole. So, yeah, just wanted to get after them from the start,” Owen said, as reported by India Today.
I was pretty scared running in for the first six balls. Mitchell Owen
The 23-year-old also described his reaction when he was handed the ball for the lone over he bowled.
“I felt I was on 36 off the over when he (Shimron Hetmyer) hammered me for six first ball, but I was fortunate that Shai (Hope) hit one up the chute and I got my first wicket. “I was a little nervous running in for those first six balls, but it was good to get it out of the way,” Owen continued.
Owen’s 27-ball 50 proved to be key in Australia’s seven-wicket win. He also picked up the crucial wicket of opposition skipper Shai Hope in the 16th over to halt the progress for West Indies. Owen was awarded the Player of the Match for his stellar performance.
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