Pujara’s innings a blueprint of how to bat on this wicket: Head
ADELAIDE: Appreciating Cheteshwar Pujara’s first innings hundred as a “blueprint” for this pitch, Australia batsman Travis Head on Saturday said there is a lot to learn from him in terms of application. “The way Pujara played in the first innings was the blueprint for this wicket,” Head said.
Head top scored with a 167ball 72 to help Australia post 235 on the third day in reply to India’s 250 in the first essay at the Adelaide Oval here.
Pujara had produced a superb 123 on the opening day to steady India’s ship and hold one end up.
“He had a really good leaving game, good forward defence, and as the ball got softer, he got more runs. Knowing how hard the wicket can be with the ball moving and the new ball, he played really well.”
Head said he was gutted after getting out on 72 off Mohammed Shami just when his stand with Nathan Lyon was blossoming.
“It is disappointing to feel the momentum swing back. I wanted to continue and felt if we could keep doing it for a period of time we could put them under pressure and keep them out there,” he said.
Keeping in mind the pitch which is spin friendly, Head said off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will find it helpful in the fourth innings.
“I just tried to stay busy against Ashwin. I was really positive against the off spinner, watching the ball and not premeditating.
“It’s going to be the same in the next innings. There’s not much rough for the lefthanders but this wicket always spins with the grass coverage,” he said. IANS