Australia On Backfoot As The BGT Goes Out Of Hand
It’s high time for Australia to look at their own gameplan. There is nothing Australian left in their playing style, just a band of amateurs who doesn’t know how to get past spin attack led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
From 61 for 1 to 113 all out, by no means that is a performance of the number one placed team in ICC test rankings. Absolutely clueless on how to negotiate spin and play a long innings on a subcontinent track.
For now, it seems that they are mentally unprepared to fight a battle in India. Less they know about that in India, matches do change and runs can be scored at a good pace but only if you pass the first 55 to 60 overs without severely damaging your batting line-up.
It was done by Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin in the first innings, by Jadeja in the first match. It’s just a matter of fact that which team is fast and intelligent enough to adapt to the conditions.
Even Pat Cummins mentioned in the post match talk that 250-60 can be achieved with a couple of good partnerships. Unfortunately, except Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, no Australian batter was in mood for partnership.
Sweeopology Doesn’t Work In Delhi
When Head and Labuschagne walked back at stumps day 2, they were happy and elated as if finally they found a way to penetrate through this Indian bowling line-up. And it wasn’t due to a particular shot but the entire mindset and attitude that kept them on charge and gave them 62 runs lead in no time.
This wholly disappeared on day 3 morning. It looked, certainly visible that the playing decisions have been changed. After putting their nose ahead in the game, they chose to go defensive in a negative manner, better they would have trusted their previous day game plan.
No doubt the sweep is a wonderful shot. But one must remember that it is an attacking shot played with an attacking mindset not a defensive shot that will get you through for long innings on these subcontinent pitches. Poor choice by the experienced Australian line-up, they entirely eliminated their own chances.
It was required that they bat through the first 20 overs with loss of only 1 wicket or maximum 2. Towards 35 overs, the ball would have gotten softer and the bowlers tired. Ideally, the best conditions to score runs in India.
Nothing went according to their plan and they could only gather 115 runs lead which was hunted down by India quite clinically. Anything over 240 would have turned this game alive. The only positive for Australia was their bowling efforts which seemed quite settled and in well working order.
Travis Head will open in the next test match, it is not certain but he should be doing that. He can give the flow Australia needs at the top order. Cameron Green will come if he gets fit and Mitchell Starc will join in place of Todd Murphy.