Resilient partnerships from the Indian tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep spoiled Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori’s plans to enforce a follow-on, while also defending the decision not to declare the home team’s first innings in the third Test which seems heading towards a draw.
Apart from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, all other Indian batters failed again. But it was the stubborn 39-run unbeaten partnership between Bumrah and Akash Deep that saved India’s face when the tourists managed to avoid a follow-on on a rain-marred day four on Tuesday. “I think the only way to force the game was to force the follow-on,” Vettori said at the post-day press conference.
“There was definitely desperation to have that last wicket. We thought we had a very good chance when Jadeja was out, but it was a fantastic fighting partnership from Bumrah and Deep. “Unfortunately, it would also make it hard because of how much time has been eaten away from the game,” he added.
Akash Deep, playing in Australia for the very first time, walked out to bat at 213 for 9 and seemed destined to play out his innings as India still needed 33 runs to avoid a follow-on that would have seen India slip back in the match. He partnered by pace spearhead Bumrah and ushered India to 252 for 9.
The Australians had finished on the last day with a score of 405 for seven, after which they decided to bat today rather than declare, thus wasting plenty of time in match-depriving rain that was observed on today’s day four.
When asked whether it was discussed declaring, Vettori said, “No, I think we are always in the attitude that first-innings runs are going to be vitally important within this game.” “You really don’t want to plan for weather, because we’ve seen on these days where it can blow past, and you can get on with things, and then it can settle in.
“Well, I guess talk pretty focused on trying to extract whatever possible in the first innings, really trusting such a strong bowling unit to deliver as it did today.” An injury has determined that Josh Hazlewood won’t be returning for the rest of the match.
“Certainly, it affects Australia’s game plan since you extend one of the top bowlers in the world; however, the rainy spells helped Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins add some extra time to their bowling economy.”
“The weather allowed to operate with breaks into Mitch and Patty able to come back multiple times. Had it involved the full 90 overs, it would have been a lot tougher to manage that. We always have Nathan at our disposal, though. That alleviated some concern.”
“That, because of the interruptions, did not stretch the feeling of having overworked them but, it was a very tricky situation at the end where it was an incredibly soft ball getting wet, but to try and stretch them just that little bit longer before getting that last wicket.”
“Maybe that’s the only time where it felt a bit much, but otherwise it sounds like the regular pace.” He added.
