Australian wicket-keeper Matthew Wade expressed confidence that they were backing themselves to get 10-14 runs per over against India in the first T20I at the IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali on Tuesday. The visitors had the wickets in hand towards the end and they were able to chase down 209 runs with four wickets and as many balls to spare.
Wade played an instrumental role in getting the visitors over the line as he scored a quickfire knock of 45 runs off just 21 balls and thus provided the finishing touches.
The left-hander scored six fours and two sixes and took Indian bowlers to the cleaners in the death overs. Wade stitched a crucial alliance of 62 runs with debutant Tim David, who scored 18 runs from 14 balls and played a second fiddle role.
Australia needed 61 runs in the last five overs but Wade and David were able to take their team over the line. Furthermore, the tourists got off to a flying start, courtesy of a fine knock from Cameron Green, who scored 61 runs from 30 balls and helped Australia put 109-1 in the first 10 overs.
Wade gave credit to Green and Smith for keeping the required run rate under check and thus the visitors were able to come up with a collective effort in their batting innings.
Matthew Wade said after the match, “I would like to make it a habit (of finishing games). It has been a nice 12-18 months, started to put some scores together and put a partnership with Tim David today, he has come down the order with those (finishing) roles. It is nice to get some youth and power like him which gives me time to start. At this ground it didn’t worry too much (to get going from the first ball), anywhere between 10-14 runs per over with wickets in hand we could probably chase it down, obviously, the guys at the top of the order got us off to a great start. If it gets to 13 runs per over early on then there’s a bit of panic but towards the end with a wicket like this and outfield like this you kinda back yourself.”
He added, “You have to work where they are going to bowl, they went wide yorker with a cover and I didn’t want to drag it too much to the leg-side, and the slower balls I sat a little bit deeper. Often I have four fielders back on the leg-side and I cannot just swing to the leg-side anymore, I need to play some shots on the off-side. Green was always going to open, it was nice to see him come out and do that. He is a really exciting allrounder and he will play a role with the ball as well. There were some crucial roles through that (early) period and Smith played really well to keep the pressure up.”
India and Australia will take on each other in the second T20I at Nagpur on Friday.
