The Australian team hasn’t come up with a collective batting performance in the ongoing series against India. In fact, no Australian batsmen could even score a fifty in the second Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Wade got off to starts in both the innings but none of them could get a big score.
Furthermore, Steve Smith, who is Australia’s best batsman, has struggled to get going in the ongoing Test series as he has scored only 10 runs at a paltry average of 3.33. Thus, Australia haven’t been able to deliver the goods with the bat and their batsmen haven’t given enough runs to their bowlers.
Australia could only score 195 and 200 in both the innings at the MCG and it led to their downfall after India got a crucial lead of 131 runs. The hosts’ veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon has admitted that they haven’t scored enough runs in the series and their batsmen will need to pull up their socks in the last two Test matches against a potent Indian bowling line-up.
Lyon told Fox Sports, “We didn’t score enough runs, it’s as simple as that. We know if we bat for long periods and can keep those guys out there, we will get more scoring opportunities. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do that so far.”
On the other hand, Lyon is satisfied with the team’s preparation for the third Test match at the SCG. Australia were completely dominated by the visitors in the second Test match and they will look to bounce in the four-match series. Lyon revealed that they have their plans ready for the Indian bowling.
“We also recognised the things we did well to make sure our preparations for the Sydney Test are 100 percent right. I know our training has been on point for the last couple of days. We are really hopeful that things will come together for us at the SCG and that we’ve come up with the right plans to combat India’s bowling, which has been really good this series.”
In fact, Australia could only manage 191 runs in the first innings of the first Test match. It is noted that the team which gets 300 should be in a dominating position as the bowling unit of both the teams is potent. Australia will want David Warner and Steve Smith to fire at all cylinders in the last two Test matches.
The third Test will take place at the SCG from January 7.
