Calcutta (The Telegraph): India failed to withstand the Australian pace attack in the relatively slower pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Australia coach Mickey Arthur wondered how the visitors would be able to counter them on the bouncy WACA pitch in Perth during the third Test, starting Friday. But that doesn’t mean they’re taking India lightly.
“They didn’t look comfortable in the first innings. In the second, they did, but then this wicket, along with the one in Adelaide, is similar to the sub-continent. But WACA is different. It has pace and bounce and sideways movement. It’s interesting how they go there,” said Arthur at a press conference.
Arthur didn’t agree that the visitors lacked team effort. “I would never say that. They are the World Cup holders. Not very long ago, they held the No. 1 slot in Tests. I would never say they are a team of individuals. They have really good individual players but lately they have played as a team and have had some success as a side. I wouldn’t say it (team of individuals) at all,” he was quoted as saying in the Australian media.
Arthur described his Indian counterpart, Duncan Fletcher, as a fantastic coach who knows the game inside out. “He’s a fantastic coach. He’s one of the best I’ve spoken to. He knows the game inside out. I am sure he would definitely be planning to come back in Perth."
“He is a great man, he wouldn’t be taking (these defeats) calmly. He’s a very proud man and he would make sure his team is ready, come Perth.”
The Australian coach was satisfied with his team’s preparation. “I wasn’t happy, I wanted to tick every box and so we went a little bit early in Melbourne, so we could look at Indian bowlers, study them, simulate them in nets."
“So we had a solid game plan in place. Our batters certainly benefited from the couple of days we had (in Melbourne),” added the Australian coach.
Though question marks seem to hang over Shaun Marsh’s present form, Arthur gave the young left-hander his whole-hearted support. “As I keep saying, form is temporary and class is permanent. He’s a fantastic player and he would get a lot of runs for Australia.”
Arthur described skipper Michael Clarke as a truly dynamic player who has worked hard on his game.
“He worked extremely hard, especially in the lead-up to the Melbourne Test match, to technically get everything working again,” Arthur said. “I think we saw the signs of all the work he put in escalated in this (SCG) Test. When Michael Clarke’s hitting the ball late and hitting the ball under his eyes, he’s playing exceptionally well."
“I think there were so many graphics of him during this innings (that show he) hits the ball under his eyes and hits the ball late, which was fantastic. The minute he pokes out in front of his front pad, that’s when he gets himself into a little bit of trouble."
“He’s not doing that now, he looks the complete package, and he’s also the complete captaincy package as well. Truly, he’s inspirational within the dressing-room."
With Shane Watson waiting to get back into the playing XI after nursing an injury, Arthur said he looks forward to it even though he feels his side has the best six batsmen in the squad at the moment.
“We are comfortable with the top six we have available, if all are selected for Perth. He (Watson)’s a quality all-rounder. He has ability with both bat and ball. He needs more time and would be ready, hopefully by Adelaide and if not then may be in one-day series. We will see how he progresses. ”
Arthur also said that swing bowler Ryan Harris would be picked for the third Test after being on the bench in the first two Tests.
Meanwhile, James Pattinson, who has been ruled out of the remaining two Tests with a left foot injury, is moving around with his leg placed in a cast. The pace sensation is hopeful, as quoted by Fox Sports, of making a comeback in the upcoming tri-series next month.
Australia coach Mickey Arthur has given Shaun Marsh his whole-hearted support.
“They didn’t look comfortable in the first innings. In the second, they did, but then this wicket, along with the one in Adelaide, is similar to the sub-continent. But WACA is different. It has pace and bounce and sideways movement. It’s interesting how they go there,” said Arthur at a press conference.
Arthur didn’t agree that the visitors lacked team effort. “I would never say that. They are the World Cup holders. Not very long ago, they held the No. 1 slot in Tests. I would never say they are a team of individuals. They have really good individual players but lately they have played as a team and have had some success as a side. I wouldn’t say it (team of individuals) at all,” he was quoted as saying in the Australian media.
Arthur described his Indian counterpart, Duncan Fletcher, as a fantastic coach who knows the game inside out. “He’s a fantastic coach. He’s one of the best I’ve spoken to. He knows the game inside out. I am sure he would definitely be planning to come back in Perth."
“He is a great man, he wouldn’t be taking (these defeats) calmly. He’s a very proud man and he would make sure his team is ready, come Perth.”
The Australian coach was satisfied with his team’s preparation. “I wasn’t happy, I wanted to tick every box and so we went a little bit early in Melbourne, so we could look at Indian bowlers, study them, simulate them in nets."
“So we had a solid game plan in place. Our batters certainly benefited from the couple of days we had (in Melbourne),” added the Australian coach.
Though question marks seem to hang over Shaun Marsh’s present form, Arthur gave the young left-hander his whole-hearted support. “As I keep saying, form is temporary and class is permanent. He’s a fantastic player and he would get a lot of runs for Australia.”
Arthur described skipper Michael Clarke as a truly dynamic player who has worked hard on his game.
“He worked extremely hard, especially in the lead-up to the Melbourne Test match, to technically get everything working again,” Arthur said. “I think we saw the signs of all the work he put in escalated in this (SCG) Test. When Michael Clarke’s hitting the ball late and hitting the ball under his eyes, he’s playing exceptionally well."
“I think there were so many graphics of him during this innings (that show he) hits the ball under his eyes and hits the ball late, which was fantastic. The minute he pokes out in front of his front pad, that’s when he gets himself into a little bit of trouble."
“He’s not doing that now, he looks the complete package, and he’s also the complete captaincy package as well. Truly, he’s inspirational within the dressing-room."
With Shane Watson waiting to get back into the playing XI after nursing an injury, Arthur said he looks forward to it even though he feels his side has the best six batsmen in the squad at the moment.
“We are comfortable with the top six we have available, if all are selected for Perth. He (Watson)’s a quality all-rounder. He has ability with both bat and ball. He needs more time and would be ready, hopefully by Adelaide and if not then may be in one-day series. We will see how he progresses. ”
Arthur also said that swing bowler Ryan Harris would be picked for the third Test after being on the bench in the first two Tests.
Meanwhile, James Pattinson, who has been ruled out of the remaining two Tests with a left foot injury, is moving around with his leg placed in a cast. The pace sensation is hopeful, as quoted by Fox Sports, of making a comeback in the upcoming tri-series next month.
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