India vs Australia: “Relentless” – Tom Moody credits Indian bowlers for ‘taking advantage of difficult surface’
India ended Day 2 of the first Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval with their noses in front on a riveting day that saw a plethora of wickets fall. The last four Indian batters were shot out for just 11 runs earlier on before the Australian batters came under the pump. On a pitch that offered some assistance to the bowlers, the Indians made excellent use of the same to bowl out the Aussies for 191.
Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers returning figures of 4-55 which included the all-important wicket of Steve Smith for just 1 run. Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh Yadav complemented the spinner very well picking up 5 wickets between them while Mohammad Shami who bowled tight lines and lengths was unlucky not to pick up a wicket. The Indian pace attack will hope the Indian batters give them a sizeable score to defend.
‘India’s bowling was extraordinary’ – Tom Moody
Former Australian cricketer Tom Moody reviewed the day’s play while speaking to ESPNCricinfo and said, “Very disappointing day for Australia. But you can’t not applaud India’s bowling. Their bowling was extraordinary. The Indian bowling attack was relentless with their bowling. Ravi Ashwin’s contribution was gold really. There were a lot of flaws in the field for India. But there’s no doubt India are very much ahead in this contest. But they are not miles away. All Australia need is some quick wickets or some good fielding effort for them to come roaring back into the contest.”
Heaping further praise on Ravichandran Ashwin, Moody said, “R Ashwin was really the key to the whole performance. He filled the void of Ishant Sharma. Ashwin was the Mr. Reliable who allowed the Bumrahs and the Shamis to come in and target wickets. Ashwin was also clever and crafty to take wickets himself. It was thus a win-win situation.”
Tom Moody also had some interesting things to say about the surface at the Adelaide Oval. “Clearly both teams have struggled to play with freedom on this pitch. There’s a little bit of a slow tennis ball-esque bounce. It is thus very hard to play off the front foot. Getting the timing off the back foot is also not too easy. Batting however, might become a bit easier as play progresses. But both attacks have bowled really well and taken advantage of the surface and the conditions,” he said.
India have a lead of 62 runs with 9 wickets in hand ahead of Day 3 and will look to build on the same to set Australia a big target.
Stay Updated!
/techfirstnow/media/agency_attachments/kATjCXskQdJKkXN0OuqW.png)