Former Australia captain Michael Clarke was critical of Usman Khawaja not using his seniority to shield debutant Nathan McSweeney during the hosts' second innings of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The veteran opener started from the non-striker's end, exposing his batting partner to a rampant Jasprit Bumrah with the new ball.
Australia had to deal with a tricky half an hour of play before stumps on Day 2 after India declared on 487-6 in their second innings. With a massive target ahead of them, a charged-up, and more importantly a well-rested Indian pace trio to deal with, the last thing Australia needed was wickets to fall before the penultimate day.
Nathan McSweeney, who scored 10 runs in the first innings before being trapped LBW by Jasprit Bumrah, suffered the same fate before opening his account. He was pinned back and trapped in front by a delivery that kept a touch low as Australia were reduced to 0-1 in the first over.
Michael Clarke felt that despite the apparent rotation policy kept in place for who takes strike, Usman Khawaja should have been the bigger man considering his experience, and shield the debutant.
"A lot of people don't like taking first ball, so the opening batters rotate. Khawaja took the first ball in the first innings and now they're saying it's McSweeney (for the second innings). But I think Uzzie should have said, 'youngster, get down the other end, even though we're going to rotate, even though I don't like taking it, it's my time'. (He should have said) 'I'm a senior player. I'm 38 years of age in a week's time. Listen here, youngster, I know you want to do it (but) get down there. It's my turn'. I think Uzzie should have owned that moment," Clarke told Sky Sports' Big Sports Breakfast (via Yahoo Sports)
Khawaja was dismissed in the second over of Day 4 for just 4 runs off 13 deliveries.
"It was like we just expected to knock India over again for not many" - Michael Clarke on lack of intent by Australia
After a set of poor scores by both sides in their first innings, several expected an early finish for the series opener. However, the pitch eased up, allowing India to capitalize and pile misery on the Australian bowlers to build on their lead.
Centuries by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, and a dominant 201-run opening stand, allowed India to set a mammoth target, while Australia looked largely toothless.
"It was like we just expected to knock India over again for not many – there was no intent. They were right in our faces but I didn't see any of our bowlers give it to any (India) batsmen. Our intent, our energy…it all looked a bit flat for the first Test of the summer," Clarke added in the same interaction.
The hosts are currently reeling at 46-4 in the first session of Day 4, with the target of 534 still considerably far away.
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