Australia batting coach Graeme Hick says team reliant on skipper Steve Smith
DHARAMSALA: Australia conceded a 32-run lead to India on Day 3 of the fourth Test, thanks to Ravindra Jadeja’s 63 and his 96-run stand with Wriddhiman Saha for the seventh wicket.
In the second innings, the visitors needed another big innings from skipper Steve Smith, but before the deficit could be erased Smith was bowled for 17 by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Australia never recovered and were all out for 137, setting India a target of 106.
Speaking at the press conference, Australia batting coach Graeme Hick said Smith’s dismissal was a huge blow. “We have been reliant on Smith. Considering the volume of runs he has got, you would want to keep him going. With the kind of form he has been in, his wicket was unfortunate,” said Hick.
Smith has been the difference between the two sides in this series. He became the first Australia captain to smash three centuries in a series in India and ended up becoming the leading run-getter with 499 runs. If Smith has had a glorious series, Australia’s other impact player, David Warner, endured a miserable time.
Warner ended the series with just 193 runs at an average of 24.37 after he was dismissed for yet another low score in the second innings at Dharamsala. On his previous tour to India in 2013, he averaged 24.12.
“Warner will be disappointed with his aggregate on this tour. He is an aggressive player and that is the way we want him to play. He was desperate to do well and was expected to have a big influence here. Whether he put himself under pressure, only he can answer. He will reflect on it and assess himself,” said Hick.
He said it was not easy for Warner upfront and pointed out the instances when he was dismissed by R Ashwin and Jadeja. In the series, Warner fell to Ashwin thrice and twice to Jadeja and Umesh Yadav.
Australia squandered a chance to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and Hick said it was one of the most disappointing days on this tour.
“You could hear a pin drop in the dressing room. It was a very disappointing day. India bowled well with the new ball and they rode the momentum,” he said. At stumps, India were 19/0 and need 87 runs to win the series 2-1 and end the season on a high.