Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood credited Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur for taking India to a safe place with their century partnership on the third day of the fourth Test. He said that the bowlers of his team could not implement the plan to send the tail batsmen of the opposition team on Sunday early.
In response to Australia’s first innings score of 369, the Indian team’s score was 186 for six wickets at one time. After this, Washington Sundar (62) and Shardul Thakur (67), who made a debut, helped India score 336 runs in the first innings on the basis of an important partnership of 123 runs for the seventh wicket.
“It is obviously a critical partnership by them. I think we had them 200/6 around that mark so we thought we were on the top there and to be fair the guys played really well. Those two guys batted beautifully and it shows that wicket is still pretty good, “Hazlewood.
“I think here at the Gabba bounce is so consistent even the tailenders can hit the ball and score runs if pitched up. The slow balls are probably the best way of getting the tail out. The bounce is so consistent that tailenders can score runs in front or behind the wickets. I think the bounce not only helps the scoreboard but they bring the wicket as well, “he added.
Two more days left in the match and team India will be looking to bowl out Australia below 200 and get win the match. But as of now looking at the approach of the hosts, it might be possible the match would end in a draw.
