David Warner believes that Australia has got their form back on track in their hopes of reclaiming the Border Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in over a decade.
Australia put on a commanding display on day one of the second Test against India in Adelaide, dismissing the visitors for 180 before finishing the day at 1/86, with the two batters out to prove their long-term form, Marnus Labuschange (20*) and Nathan McSweeney (38*) leading the charge.
However, Warner believes the fightback shown by the Aussies has not only put them in good stead to build on day two, but has transformed their aspirations to break their hoodoo against India.
“The way that they absorbed that [pressure], hopefully, that sets it up for a big day for Australia tomorrow,” he said on Fox Sports following the conclusion of day one.
Nathan McSweeney. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
“We spoke about Marnus looking to leave, but looking to have a bit of intent as well, and we saw that positive attitude in his voice and his calling.
“Nathan as well, taking on those pull shots, he’s looked like he’s got a bit more intent also, which is great.
“Marnus is still wanting to try and look to score. I know he’s leaving a lot of good balls on length, but he still had to be mindful of trying to tick that board over and not try to consume and absorb too much.
“We saw that happen in that first innings in Perth… you’d be kicking yourself if you do get one of those fine nicks, or something where you’ve you could have got off the mark, or you could have hit a hit a boundary.”
Fellow commentator Adam Gilchrist however was more reserved in his praise – preferring instead to focus on the approach McSweeney has taken to the match – with the South Australian very familiar with the behaviour of the Adelaide pitch.
“A man who has been made to work very hard is the local boy, the adopted local son, and he just started to be a little more expansive as the innings went on,” Gilchrist said.
“Every delivery, every minute he is at the crease, he is learning about Test cricket. If you are just patient enough, little things will start to turn your way.”
Starc plays down pink-ball record
Things could not have gone much better for Mitchell Starc, picking up Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal with the first ball of the Test and achieving a career-best 6/48, also marking his five-wicket haul ever against India.
The wicket of Jaiswal proved particularly potent, following a sledge from the young opener in the first Test claiming Starc was blowing “too slow.”
However, despite the historic day in his career, Starc played down the achievement, admitting post-match that the nature of the pink-ball Test can often be “unpredictable” and benefit the bowlers, with conditions making it harder for batting.
“I feel like the ball has been coming out all-right for a while. We tried to regain momentum back … and I thought we were pretty good. I managed to sneak one past (Jaiswal) and that was a nice start,” he said on Fox Sports.
“I think the pink ball, as a bowler, you are in the game the while time because it goes through weird patches where all of a sudden it won’t do much, and then it starts to swing again.”
Despite this, many pundits, including Warner, Kerry O’Keefe and former England captain Michael Vaughan were quick to commend the Aussie opener for his pink-ball record.
“It is a credit to him. He averages 17 for a reason. Nothing seems to amaze me with this fellow when he comes here to Adelaide Oval with a pink ball,” Warner said.
“It just seems like if he was to play with a pink ball every game, he would take a ‘five for’ almost every match. It’s insane, his record.”
“He is the hoover,” Vaughan added.
“As soon as he sniffs an opportunity down the back of an innings, he very rarely misses.”
Mitchell Starc celebrates with teammates after dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Aussie star slams Cummins over ‘ridiculous’ over-rate
Former Australian opener Simon Katich has aimed at the Australian captain over their over rate during day one of the second Test, calling the rate by Cummins “a disgrace.”
Cummins is not the only player guilty of falling behind the over rate, which has reared it’s ugly head in several Test matches across 2024 – however, it was noted by many that while they removed India quickly, bowling 44.1 overs across two sessions was notably slower.
Speaking on SEN with fellow commentator Tom Morris, Katich believes that penalities around over rates should be more strictly enforced – and that the issue is becoming a scourge on Test cricket.
“This will be the 22nd over bowled in nearly two hours of cricket. I know there has been wickets, but that’s a disgrace. That’s ridiculous,” Katich said while in the commentary box on day one.
“Captains are responsible, we know they are, because they’re the ones that are copping fines.
“But we know the fines aren’t working because it hasn’t changed anything. Potentially it’s going to be suspensions for Test matches.
“And if it’s the very next Test, you’re losing your skipper and that’s maybe how tough it has to be to get this up to scratch because it’s not good enough.”
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