Australia whitewash India, wins Hockey series 5-0
However, despite the visitors’ determined efforts, Australia succeeded in preventing India from levelling the score, ultimately securing a thrilling 3-2 victory in the match.
Australian opener Aaron Finch feels off-spinner Nathan Lyon will play a crucial role in the second Test match between India and Australia considering the amount of bounce the Perth wickets is offering.
Finch, along with opener Marcus Harris, gave Australia a near perfect start by putting up a 112-run stand for the first wicket in the opening session of Day one. Speaking at the end of day, Finch said, “It’s going to be one of those games that’ll be a real grind for both sides. The position we’re in we would have taken at the start of the day, no doubt, especially winning the toss and batting.”
Finch, who scored 50 runs in the first innings, further said, “I think Nathan Lyon will enjoy bowling with the amount of bounce on this track, no doubt he will be excited to bowl here (Perth).”
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The 32-year-old stylish batsman also said the batters can become indecisive sometimes while playing on this wicket.
“When the ball starts seaming off good parts of the wicket and quite dramatically at times, I think that’s when you know you need to tighten up,” Finch said. “But you have to also be in a position to cash in on some balls that you can hit, otherwise you get stuck in two minds and end up letting the wicket get you out,” he added.
After going wicketless in the first session, Indian bowlers took three wickets in the second and third sessions to restrict Australia to 277 for the loss of six wickets at stumps on Day one.
Finch said, “Our plan was to bat on this wicket regardless of what happened in Adelaide, the heat and getting miles into their legs.”
Finch further explained the Oz team’s plan was to bat first in the second Test. “That was our plan to bat first anyway and take that challenges head on. No doubt it might play a factor later in this game, or third or fourth Test, but it was always our plan to bat (after winning the toss).”
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