Adelaide, 8 December (IANS). Australia’s left-handed batsman Travis Head was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his match-winning innings of 140 runs in the second Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy against India. Head said it was a pleasure for him to score runs again on his home ground.
Head, with his flamboyant batting and aggressive shots, scored his eighth Test century in 141 balls, which included 17 fours and 4 sixes. His innings gave Australia a lead of 152 runs, which proved crucial in the team’s ten-wicket victory.
Head said, “It felt good to score runs. Last week also I was in good form and felt that I was in rhythm. Our team’s dressing room is very good, everyone is united, even if it is said otherwise. We know The thought was that if we perform well, our chances of winning will increase.”
He further said, “During the innings, I recognized the right opportunities and played my game. Last night’s session was also excellent. Captain Pat Cummins gives me full confidence that I will play as per my wish. The second goal is to score fast runs against the new ball. It was a good opportunity. The weather was very hot and I thought it would be challenging to play with the new ball.”
Apart from this, fast bowler Mitchell Starc took 8 wickets in the Adelaide Test, which included the wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal on the very first ball of the match. Starc, who took 6 wickets in the first innings, said that the decision to leave the 295-run defeat in Perth and play afresh in Adelaide proved right.
Starc said, “It’s been a good week for us. We improved after the first Test and this win was positive. There was a lot of talk outside, but we left Perth there.”
When asked about his excellent record in Adelaide, Starc said, “There is no particular reason for it. My preparation is always the same, it’s just that here I bowl a little fuller length. The pink ball behaves like the white ball. Our batting and bowling were aggressive and it felt good when the ball hit the stumps.
Talking about the improvement in his bowling, he said, “I have improved the art of taking the ball out and bringing it in. Earlier, I used to pace and swing but at times I gave away runs. Adopting the wobble seam has helped me in bowling. “Accuracy has improved. This is all the result of a long time’s hard work.”
Marnus Labuschagne also scored 64 runs in the first innings. He talked about how Australia managed to turn things around in Adelaide.
He said, “Last week we lost the Test match and this week we are finishing the series 1-1 on the third day. We know how we are going. It is good that a lot of people are talking about the game.” A lot of things happened during the week, but I just came back to doing what I love best. It’s too early to say though.”
–IANS
AS/
