Tailenders’ era gone: Ashwin
23 March 2013 1:24 AM GMT
India off-spinner Ravichandra Ashwin lauded Australia’s lower batting order for their stiff resistance and said in the present era, there aren’t any tailenders anymore.
Australia were reeling at 136/7 but closed the day on 231/8 and Ashwin being an improved batter himself in the lower order was quick to play down the term. When asked about India’s failing to get Australia’s lower order out Ashwin replied, ‘I don’t think that has been a problem (wiping off the tail). They have batted pretty well. We have to stick to our plans and work them out. In different scenarios, different teams do well and that era is over when tail-enders would come, slog and get out.’
Ashwin rated the wicket off Steven Smith as his best over that of Mitchell Johnson’s as the offie finished with a figure of 4/40. ‘Johnson opted for the wrong shot and got out. For me Smith’s wicket was more satisfying.’ Asked about the assistance spinners got from the wicket on Friday, he replied, ‘If there are spots on the wicket, then one shouldn’t get carried away as margin of error is very less.One shouldn’t try too many things from back of the hand.’
IT WAS A DIFFICULT PITCH TO BAT ON: SMITH
Australian batsman Steven Smith who scored a valiant 46 on the first day of the fourth Test match between India and Australia on Friday at the Feroz Shah Kotla said that the pitch was difficult for the batsmen to bat on.
‘It wasn’t a day one wicket and it will get tougher to bat as the match progresses. It gets more difficult when you are not used to playing in such conditions. A score of 280 on this pitch will be competitive. We need to score another 50 odd runs tomorrow,’ Smith said.
Australia were reeling at 136/7 but closed the day on 231/8 and Ashwin being an improved batter himself in the lower order was quick to play down the term. When asked about India’s failing to get Australia’s lower order out Ashwin replied, ‘I don’t think that has been a problem (wiping off the tail). They have batted pretty well. We have to stick to our plans and work them out. In different scenarios, different teams do well and that era is over when tail-enders would come, slog and get out.’
Ashwin rated the wicket off Steven Smith as his best over that of Mitchell Johnson’s as the offie finished with a figure of 4/40. ‘Johnson opted for the wrong shot and got out. For me Smith’s wicket was more satisfying.’ Asked about the assistance spinners got from the wicket on Friday, he replied, ‘If there are spots on the wicket, then one shouldn’t get carried away as margin of error is very less.One shouldn’t try too many things from back of the hand.’
IT WAS A DIFFICULT PITCH TO BAT ON: SMITH
Australian batsman Steven Smith who scored a valiant 46 on the first day of the fourth Test match between India and Australia on Friday at the Feroz Shah Kotla said that the pitch was difficult for the batsmen to bat on.
‘It wasn’t a day one wicket and it will get tougher to bat as the match progresses. It gets more difficult when you are not used to playing in such conditions. A score of 280 on this pitch will be competitive. We need to score another 50 odd runs tomorrow,’ Smith said.
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