Australian bat Marnus Labuschagne praised Indian archers for coming up with “new ideas” in the second Test which started here on Saturday, admitting that his side felt under pressure in the ‘first essay which was a bit pessimistic.
Australia were knocked out for 195 on the opening day of the Test by accelerator Jasprit Bumrah and spinner R Ashwin sharing seven wikis. At stumps, India was 36/1.
“Certainly we could have done better. We may have had three disappointments that we apparently did not need, ”said Labuschagne, who made the high of 48 with 132 balls, at a high-profile news conference enabled by Sony’s official broadcasters after playing the day.
“They (Indians) were bowling straight and (we are) not getting much running on the other side. Archers come up with new ideas to stop scoring, lifting weights as they did today. I faced 130 balls (or) something (so). That’s the challenge we face as a batting team and we love it so much. ”
Commenting on the famous Indian messenger Mohammed Siraj, he said, “He is more of a swing archer than a seam bowler. It is nearly six feet, moving away from what is left. He certainly has skills. We need to make sure we understand what they are trying to do and come back strong. He also said that his helmet was not affected by a stroke because he was “used to it” and just had to “shake it off”.
When asked about an Australian battle with Ashwin, he said, “People are coming up with new techniques like a field of side legs, just beaten. We (just) just understand and learn what it does. That is the key. We always do that as a batting group and keep better from learning. ”
He said the MCG field helps the bowlers a little more than usual.
“Throughout the game, we definitely had a conversation. Teams have very good bowling teams and had a little more pitch.
“There was more seam and a little more swing today and that was something (that was) not usually seen at the MCG. We need to adapt and make sure we get a big score in the second innings. ”
Asked about the review India faced in the 16th century after the umpire claim BWrah LBW was fired down, Labuschagne said, “The technology was there, I’m not sure (exactly). Luckily enough to get away with it. ”