The host Australia was bundled out for 191 in their first innings against India in the first Test in Adelaide on Friday. The Australian came with a defensive batting show, which had runs coming at a rate lower than two runs per over.
Australia played 72 overs on Friday at a run rate of 2.6. While many former cricketers and commentators expressed surprise at the approach of hosts to the Indian bowling, Australia great Glenn McGrath looked stunned at the way the Australian batsmen batted on Friday.
McGrath felt that the Australian batsmen allowed the Indian bowlers to put more pressure on them by not getting quick runs.
“That’s been the issue today, they have been very defensive and sitting back, waiting for the bad ball and just taking singles rather than looking a bit more intent and take it to the bowlers and put a little bit of pressure back on the bowlers,” Glenn McGrath said on Sony.
Though the Indian set up got bundled up too quickly at the start of day two, the bowlers showed what they are capable of. Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, and Ashwin didn’t leave even a bit of room to let Australian batsmen have the upper hand. The score of visitors would have been even less if the fielders kept their hands tight on some of the catches in between.
When You Are Not Scoring, You Would Get Into Trouble Very Soon: Glenn McGrath
“Indian bowlers have been able to bowl wherever they want, and when you are not scoring, you would get into trouble very soon because, on such a pitch, the wickets will come sooner or later. So if you are not scoring you are not moving anywhere,” McGrath added.
His compatriot Michael Hussey, who was at Adelaide also said earlier on Saturday that the wicket was getting difficult to bat on.
“All the batsmen have said that it is a difficult pitch to get in on. There is a little bit variable bounce and it was a little bit slower on the first day. I think it was quickening up a little bit today,” Hussey said.
15 wickets fell on Day 2 on Friday, and India ended the day on 9/1 in the 2nd innings with a lead of 62 runs.