Batsmen must adjust for faster Perth pitch: Amarnath
Picture Jeff Thomson, fast and fierce with a unique load up, long stride and slingy bowling action. And an Indian batsman standing up to the Australian quick at the world’s fastest pitch, WACA in Perth, crafting his maiden Test century -Mohinder Amarnath.
Amarnath scored 90 off 156 balls in the first innings and 100 off 175 balls in the second, as positive an approach as it can be. Australia managed a two-wicket win in that 1977 Test, but Amarnath built his reputation as one of the best players on fast and bouncy wickets.
When it came to executing the hook and pull, and showing the gumption to take on a fast bowler, India had their hero. He signed off his eighth Test with another century, in Sydney in 1986.
As Virat Kohli and his side get ready to face Australia in the second Test at Perth from Friday – it will be played at a new stadium --- Amarnath has a word of caution for the batsmen. “Don’t be over excited over stroke-play, mix caution with aggression.”
UNKNOWN TERRITORY
India have the momentum after the Adelaide Test win, but playing at a ground yet to stage a Test, Optus Stadium, it will be entering unknown territory. “In the old days, it used to be the quickest, but it has changed over time. It’s a new ground, new pitch. They have not played many matches and it is the beginning of the Australia season, so we are assuming a lot of things.“If it has more pace than Adelaide, than the plan has to change, technique has to be a little different to cope with pace and bounce. The best two players who can master any surface are Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara at the moment. They adjust quickly.
“Some of the players, because of their technique, get a little tucked up; they have problems against short deliveries because their technique is good for a slower track. They have to make adjustments,” said Amarnath, on the sidelines of an ICC event partnering Royal Stag.
“Pujara has the temperament and technique. He has showed that when it comes to Test cricket, the first one hour he doesn’t like to do too many things. He just wants to occupy the crease and tire out the bowler.”
The inexperienced Australia ran India close (India won by 31 runs) and Amarnath cautioned that batting must improve as India chase their first series win in the country.“Some of the strokes, the way they got out was terrible. What Indian batsmen need here is not to be complacent, over-excited with strokeplay,” said Amarnath, who has scored two of his 11 centuries in Australia. “When you see how to cope with swing and leave good deliveries, probably Pujara is the best in the business (for others to learn). You have to have a mixture of both, which he showed in Adelaide. The bounce and wicket will suit his style.”
Amarnath expects Australia bowlers to fight back at Perth. “The kind of length they like to bowl, it suits them to bowl on fast and harder tracks. Their batting is inexperienced, but expect them to bounce back.”
When you see how to cope with swing and leave good deliveries, probably Pujara is the best in the business (for others to learn).
M AMARNATH, On coping with pace