India have continued the fourth Test against the hosts Australia with their team B after several injuries marred the team’s initial plans. On Saturday, after the conclusion of the second day of the final Test at Gabba, Andrew McDonald, Australia’s assistant coach applauded the inexperienced Indian bowling attack. He picked up Washington Sundar and praised him for filling the shoes of Ravichandran Ashwin saying the off-spinner performed “quite well”.
Listing out the number of injuries through the series, India left the door open for debutants Sundar (3/89) and medium-pacer T Natarajan (3/78) to be the part of the playing 11 for the decider.
“I thought they (the Indian bowlers) were very consistent. I thought Washington Sundar in particular was disciplined and filled that role of Ravi Ashwin quite well and kept it tight and was able to take some key wickets on the way,” after day two McDonald said at the virtual post-day press conference.
“So, for me I suppose, he is a bowler who controlled the tempo of the game and I think it stood out for me.”
Sundar and Natarajan were travelling with the Test squad as net bowlers but the bruises turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the duo. McDonald, who was the bowling coach for the Royal Challengers Bangalore and the head coach of Rajasthan Royals, got impressed by Natarajan.
“…Natarajan shaped the ball early, there is a lot (to like) about him, left-arm swing bowler, no doubt he is inexperienced but has enough played first-class games to be play his first Test on this tour, (that) is a great achievement, so I think they held their own,” the 39-year-old told.
After a stellar Indian Premier League, Natarajan dazzled everyone after his debut for India in the limited-overs. His fellow pacer, Mumbai-lad Shardul Thakur also claimed three wickets. The visitors bowled Australia out for 369 before the rain-curtailed the second day. The stumps were called when Ajinkya Rahane(2* off 19) and Cheteshwar Pujara (8* off 49) were at the crease. Rohit Sharma (44 off 74) gifted his wicket after settling down on the field.
“They (Indian bowlers) applied pressure throughout the innings and they made (it) difficult for ourselves. Times when we felt we would get on the top, they were able to bounce back and get key wickets at crucial times. It was great arm-wrestle, so full credit to their attack,” the Australian assistant coach said.
Ahead of the day three he praised Australia’s batting and India’s bowling. At the stumps the visitors are trailing by 307 runs. McDonald also said Rohit’s wicket came handy despite his “even” proceedings.
“India 2/60, to get (Rohit) Sharma just before the or what was to be the end of the play was very handy. But we had 100 runs today, could that have been more possible, but in saying that 350 plus at the first innings at the GABBA is not a bad score.”
Australia have the upper hand till now not only because they have their full strength but also the Aussies have not lost a Test match at Gabba since 1988. On the other hand, captain Rahane is undefeated as a captain in Test cricket.
“…but there is a lot of cricket to be played in this and will define the series, one all coming in and all on the line. The overall performance of the series will be defined by the series, no doubt about that,” he added.
The day’s play was interrupted by the rains, but Australia eyed a total beyond 350, and they have achieved the aim.
“The umpires have made that call (about play being called off) but no doubt disappointing for the spectators, who stayed on. It would have been nice to get some play there, but clearly deemed by the umpires to be unsafe.”
‘I suppose the playing surface is unsafe in some areas,’ he added.
