Australia look for a quick fix

The wicketkeeper says MSD is the hero of the country KOHLI REMAINS ON TOP

Adelaide, Dec. 11: Australia skipper Tim Paine admitted there was little time to regroup after the first Test defeat to India, but said he had no doubt under- fire fast bowling spearhead Mitchell Starc would bounce back in Perth.

The second Test starts on Friday with India full of confidence after their tense, 31- run win in Adelaide — their first in Australia in a decade, and first ever in the opening Test as they search for a maiden series win Down Under.

Australia skipper Tim Paine admitted there were shortcomings in Adelaide, but he was largely happy with how the team performed.

“There was a number of reasons why we lost,” he said.

“We thought we could have cleaned them up on day one for 200- 210 and we let that slip a bit. Clearly we’d like to score more than 230 in a first innings in Australia. There’s things we do need to tighten up.”

Starc received some criticism for some wayward spells, including a string of costly byes, in India’s second innings in Adelaide. But Paine said the left- arm paceman would come good.

“He didn’t set the world on fire but I think, for a long time, there’s been a really big gap between Starcy’s best and his worst,” said Paine.

“And from what I’m seeing, that is getting closer and closer every day. Was he at his best? Probably not. But I still thought he played his role.”

One key area of concern is opening batsmen. Debutant Marcus Harris scored 26 in each innings and showed enough to warrant another crack, but oneday specialist Aaron Finch failed both times, out for a duck and then 11.

Paine acknowledged the top order must start delivering.