Mohammed Siraj could not have hoped for a better trial than the one in which he was involved. India v Australia, Boxing Day Test, at Melbourne Cricket Ground. These are the dreams that are being made and on Saturday, Siraj, who won the 298 India Test cap, made the event even more special by turning up a show that pleased the audience. Unsurprisingly, after the opening play on opening day, Siraj admitted that getting the India Test cap was the greatest achievement of his life.
It took Siraj time before the ball was finally given to him. Ajinkya Rahane threw the ball over to the 26th in the 28th over the innings and after a good pair of attacks, Siraj was brought off the attack. However, his second spell is just after lunch when Siraj started making heads turn with his swing. With Australia in the middle of a rematch, with Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head scoring 86 runs for the fourth wicket, Siraj delivered a timely strike to India replacing the dangerous Labuschagne caught at his ‘short short leg. Siraj picked up another wicket – Cameron Cameron overall – to finish 2/40 when India beat Australia for 195.
Siraj’s visit impressed many, including Australian batsman Michael Hussey, who was feared by the fast bowler, especially his second superstition, where he generated a two-sided movement. However, what does Hussey look like?
Live score India 2 Australia 2nd Test Day 2
The biggest thing was how Siraj enjoyed every minute of being an Indian test cricketer.
“I thought it was great. What I love most about him, is that he had the biggest smile on his face all day. He loved being out there, loving it when he got the chance to bowl and making the best efforts. I thought in his first spell, he was very capable, ”Hussey told ESPNCricinfo.
“It ‘s not easy – you play your first Test – Boxing Day Test, at the MCG… big event, and he looked calm and in control of his emotions. Yeah, maybe he could have bowled a little better but it was his second spell when it came to himself. ”
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As soon as the ball got a little older, more movement was available, which Siraj took advantage of. In fact, Hussey was so pleased with Siraj that he felt the fast-paced player looked like ‘picking up a wicket’ every ball.
“The ball was a little older and it was interesting that some Indian bowlers… I feel like they are a better ball when the ball gets older. It is probably the result of being built on these Indian flat plains. Very skillfully, you turn the late ball both ways and pick up a couple of vital wickets for India. You got the feeling that he was going to get a wicket for almost every member, ”said Hussey.
Labuschagne may be Siraj’s first Test wicket, but Green wicket is the one Siraj will remember for a long time. It was the perfect setting, making the bat expect something else. After bowling two sightings of visitors outside to Green, Siraj put a fox on the roundabout with an inswinger that grabbed the bat off LBW, which Hussey believes appears the maturity of Siraj.
“My favorite was Cameron Green’s wicket. He set it beautifully. He got a ball or two to move away. He almost slid his head over the crest and put down that inswinger to get LBW. It was a great position and a great achievement, and it shows that he has a big head on his shoulder, ”explained Hussey.