Mohammed Siraj couldn’t have hoped for a better Test debut than the one he was involved in. India vs Australia, Boxing Day Test, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It’s what dreams are made of and on Saturday Siraj, who won the India Test 298 cap, made the occasion even more special by putting on a performance that pleased the audience. It was no surprise that after the end of the game on opening day, Siraj admitted that obtaining the India Test cap was the greatest achievement of his life.
It took Siraj time before the ball was finally handed to him. Ajinkya Rahane threw the ball to the 26-year-old on the 28th inning and after a couple of decent passes, Siraj was pulled from the attack. However, his second spell right after lunch is when Siraj started turning heads with his swing. With Australia in the middle of a rebuilding phase, with Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head adding 86 runs for the fourth wicket, Siraj delivered a timely blow for India by returning the dangerous Labuschagne caught in the short, thin leg. Siraj picked up another wicket, from the Cameron Green SUV, to finish 2/40 when India defeated Australia in 195.
Siraj’s departure impressed many, including former Australian hitter Michael Hussey, who was in awe of the fast pitcher, especially his second spell, where he generated movement on both sides. However, what Hussey likes
India vs Australia 2nd test live score Day 2
Most importantly, how Siraj was enjoying each and every moment of being an Indian Test cricketer.
“I thought it was excellent. What I liked the most about him is that he had the biggest smile on his face all day. He loved being out there, he loved attacking when he got a chance to go bowling and do his best. I thought in his first spell he was very serene, ”Hussey said on ESPNCricinfo.
“It’s not easy, you are playing your first test, a boxing day test, at the MCG … great occasion, and he looked calm and in control of his emotions. Yes, maybe he could have played a little better, but his second spell is when he really recovered. “
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Once the ball aged a bit, there was more movement on offer, which Siraj took advantage of. In fact, Hussey was so impressed with Siraj that he felt the fast pitcher seemed to ‘catch a wicket’ on every ball.
“The ball was a bit older and it was interesting that some of the Indian bowlers… I feel like they dance better when the ball gets old. Probably a product of being raised on those Indian planes. Very skilled, he swings the ball late both ways and scooped up a couple of crucial wickets for India. You had a feeling I was going to hit a wicket on almost every ball, ”Hussey noted.
Siraj’s first test window might be Labuschagne, but Green’s window is the one Siraj will remember for a long time. It was the perfect setup, which made the hitter anticipate something else. After throwing two outswingers overs to Green, Siraj duped the off-roader with an inswinger who caught the batter at LBW, and which Hussey acknowledges, proves Siraj’s maturity.
“The one I enjoyed the most was the Cameron Green window. It installed it beautifully. He has a couple of balls to get away. He almost dragged his head through the crease and threw that inswinger out of LBW. It was a great setup and a great execution, and it shows that he has a great head on his shoulders, ”Hussey explained.
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