Sydney, Jan 4 (NationPress) Iconic Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar asserts that the green surface at the fast-paced fifth Test held at the Sydney Cricket Ground would face scrutiny if the match occurred in India, emphasizing that the pitch is not conducive for longer format cricket.
After a total of 11 wickets fell on the first day, the second day saw an astonishing 15 wickets fall. India managed to bowl out Australia for 181, securing a narrow four-run lead in the first innings, and concluded day two at 141/6, holding an overall lead of 145.
“If 15 wickets fell (in one day) in India, all hell would have broken loose. We had Glenn McGrath noting he'd never encountered so much grass. Did you hear any former Indian cricketer complain about the pitch?”
“Former players from Australia and England continuously discuss Indian pitches and conditions. We are not moaners; we do not whine. You will never find us complaining. However, 15 wickets in a day in India would be chaos.”
“When we step out to play cricket, we will endure. If we lose, we lose. It is challenging to defeat home teams overseas. I mentioned that when we saw the pitch yesterday, it looked as if cows could graze on it.”
“This is not the ideal Test pitch you desire because you want the match to extend into the fourth and fifth days. Unless rain intervenes, I don’t foresee us being here on day four,” Gavaskar stated on ABC Grandstand Radio after the conclusion of day two’s play.
Scott Boland excelled again, claiming 4-42 on day two after his impressive 4-31 on day one. He also dismissed Virat Kohli twice in this match, marking Boland’s fourth dismissal of the star batter in the series.
Australia's wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey expressed his satisfaction with Boland's performance at Sydney. “He’s challenging the batters, placing the ball in the correct areas on wickets like this. He’s generating a lot for us.”
“He’s a different bowler compared to Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood; he’s a bit shorter and skinnier, allowing more balls to hit the top of the stumps. He’s seizing his opportunity now, and his excellence comes as no surprise to the team. We appreciate his energy,” Carey remarked.
