Former Australian captain Michael Clarke was “surprised” with some of Pat Cummins’ tactics on the opening day of the first Test and believes the skipper must “look to take wickets” despite the visitors’ meagre runs total.
The Aussies were bowled out for just 177 on the opening day of the first Test in Nagpur as India resume play on day two at 1/77 with Rohit Sharma (56*) and Ravi Ashwin (0*) at the crease).
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Debutant spinner Todd Murphy took the sole wicket for the Aussies when he caught KL Rahul for 20.
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As Cummins and his troops look for an early opportunity to snatch momentum, Clarke believes it will come down to how the skipper positions his field.
And if it was anything like the set-up he saw yesterday, the Aussies could lose the first Test earlier than they would have liked.
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Aussies struggle on opening day in India | 04:35
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“I know they’ve only got 177 runs on the board, but you’ve still got to look to take wickets,” Clarke said on Big Sports Breakfast.
“I was surprised at Pat Cummins’ tactics yesterday. He had a long-on every ball Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy bowled.
“If the ball’s spinning like you think it is, for them to try and hit one over mid-on’s head brings in an inside edge to mid-wicket, brings in stumped, brings in bowled, brings in caught bat-pad.
“I know we haven’t got many runs and that’s a tough one for Patty to work with, so he’s trying to give his bowlers some protection, but you want the batter to try and take a risk.
“You want them to try and take a risk and hit that one over the top. If they hit one or two over the top, fair play, put him back. But he’s just got to be really smart with his tactics here.
“If India get 280 to 300, mate, they might not have to bat again.”
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