India vs Australia: “We were a bit stunned by India’s score,” says Josh Hazlewood
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The Indian batsmen were put to the sword by the Australian pacers as the former came crashing down to get bowled out for a meagre 36 – their lowest score ever in Test match cricket. On a day that they began with their noses slightly in front, the Indians fell like a pack of cards. No batsman could offer even a hint of resistance as the Aussie pacers made merry. In the end, a match that was expected to progress till at least the fourth day ended on the second session of the third day.
Although the Indian batting performance was dismal, it was the Australian bowlers who were ruthless and relentless with their accurate bowling to get nicks through to the wicket-keeper. Josh Hazlewood picked up a well-deserved five-wicket haul while Pat Cummins got four against the clueless Indian batters. Although Tim Paine was named the player of the match for his crucial knock of 73 in the first innings, it was the pacers who turned the game around.
‘We thrive on such situations’ – Josh Hazlewood
Speaking at the virtual post-match press conference, Josh Hazlewood talked about the day’s play saying, “I think today’s performance was similar to the Ashes Test at Leeds when we bowled them out for 60 odd. The pitch didn’t behave much differently from the first innings. We bowled a touch fuller and straighter I guess. Cummo (Pat Cummins) set the tone really nicely and I just followed suit. Everything got nicked and went to hand. One of those days.”
The pacer then spoke about when he realized Australia were producing something special. “I can’t put a finger on when I realized we were doing something special. It might have been when I looked up and it was 6 for 20 or something, and Cummo had Pujara and Kohli both out and we just had the tail to come. I think around that time you know you’ve got something special going, and I just felt like if we kept bowling in those areas that nicks were going to keep coming. We just didn’t let up really,” he said.
Hazlewood also added that the Aussies themselves were surprised at India’s score. “We were a bit stunned by the score. We were especially really stunned when we came back from bowling. We obviously had 90 to chase but we were pretty confident. The mood didn’t change too much during the game. We were behind by 50 runs but we were really calm. We thrive on such situations when we are a little bit behind and it’s up to us bowlers to change the game,” he said.
Australia will want Hazlewood and Co. to produce a similar effort in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the 26th of December.
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Nevin Clinton
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