ADELAIDE: Seeing a pink ball meandering like this under the lights is “not easy”, Australian captain Tim paine said after his painstaking half century against India’s menacing bowling attack in the first Day / Night Test on Friday.
Paine was the leading scorer with an undefeated 73 before his team was eliminated by 191 on the second day of the game in the Adelaide Oval.
“Yeah definitely the fast bowling quality is exceptional. Pink ball which is probably another factor. It takes time to adjust and it is not that easy to grip and I will tell you, it is more difficult for the player,” he said. Paine at a press conference.
While hitting wasn’t easy, it also resulted in an ultra-defensive approach taken by some hitters.
India, whose first innings ended at 244, extended their overall lead to 62 runs at the end of the day.
Paine admitted that it was not the best performance of his team.
“Yeah, it’s certainly not our best performance, but it’s a credit to them.
“They (India) played very well, they put us under pressure, we just couldn’t get any momentum or any partnership together, we couldn’t do that today, but our higher order has done a good job for a while right now.” ”
Senior spinner Ravichandran ashwin (4-55) grabbed four wickets, while spearhead Jasprit Bumrah finished with three wickets.
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In Photos: Ashwin wins four as India leads Australia by 62 races on Day 2
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Veteran R Ashwin produced one of his most memorable overseas performances as Indian bowlers collectively terrorized Australia into submission, pitching them for 191 on Day 2 of the Opening Day / Night Test on Friday. (AP Photo)
Courtesy of Ashwin 18-3-55-4, India managed to successfully neutralize a score of 244 in the first inning below par. Opponent captain Tim Paine (73 of 99 balls) was the only local hitter to show stomach for a fight. (AFP photo)
With a practical 53-run first inning lead, India found its starter Prithvi Shaw’s defense violated again before ending the day on 9/1 with a 62-run overall lead. (Reuters photo)
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah (21-7-52-2) played the role of night watchman after Shaw’s removal, keeping Mayank Agarwal (5) company when the stumps were removed. (AP Photo)
Umesh Yadav (16.1-5-40-3) was brilliant with the old pink kookaburra as he lunged back to dump dangerous Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins. (AFP photo)
Mohammed Shami (17-4-41-0) was also flawless with his length, but was disappointed by the fielders as the only mistake in the second day’s performance was poor receiving effort. (Fake images)
Except for Labuschagne (47 of 119 balls), who failed to capitalize on three pardons, and Captain Paine, no other hitter seemed to know how to hit a surface, which picked up the pace on the second day. (Reuters photo)
Ashwin set up Smith with a few that moved with the angle and then threw one that straightened up and bounced some more. Smith, waiting for his turn, squared off and Ajinkya Rahane on the first slip made no mistake. (Fake images)
Newcomer Cameron Green (11) cursed himself as his was a long jump asking to be shot, but the extra bounce reached the top edge and captain Virat Kohli made a fabulous catch in the middle of the wicket, diving completely to your right. (Fake images)
Labuschagne was unbelievably lucky when Bumrah dropped a dolly on the thin leg after the batter had mis-timed a shot from Shami. After the dinner break, Labuschagne on the 21st, was brought down by Shaw on the square leg and that was also a poorly timed shot. (AP Photo)
Earlier in the day, Mitchell Starc (4/53 in 21 overs) and Pat Cummins (3/48 in 21.1 overs) fired the last four batters for an addition of just 11 runs to the nightly score of 233/6. (AFP photo)
In their second trial, the visitors were 9/1 on the stumps.
Paine said Australia, with the quality of the bowling attack at their disposal, will certainly try to come back.
“At the end of the day, we have to chase, we know it’s going to be a challenge, the quality of the bowling is exceptional, anything can happen tomorrow.
“We know our fast bowling attack and Nathon LyonWe think his first 10 overs yesterday created several opportunities.
“We have the ability to take fast terrains, and obviously we will try to do it tomorrow, we will keep the score under control and hopefully one of our great pitchers will have a bit of a run and some momentum and I think hopefully we’ll keep him scoring what lowest possible. ”
Pat cummins India opener fired Prithvi Shaw cheap in the second inning and the Australian captain said he was given the new ball, instead of Josh hazlewood, when it comes to cutting it from the seam.
“That decision was made (to open with Cummins), I feel like most of this game, which has been unusual for the pink ball, hasn’t really changed, it has been a cut from that swing and Patty has been our best at it. .
“Basically he’s not a great swinger of the ball, but he cuts it off more than the seam both ways. Starcy (Mitchell starc) under the lights with its passage from its height, it is very difficult to catch anyway.
“So Josh was happy with that (decision) and tomorrow it will play a big role for us.”
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