Tail was outstanding: Clarke
First Published : 29 Dec 2011, 20:10
Last Modified : 30 Dec 2011, 14:40
Melbourne, Dec 29: Touted as a below par Australian unit, Michael Clarke’s boys bundled out India for a mere 169 runs on Day 4 of the Boxing Day Test to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.
A pleased Michael Clarke spoke about his team’s triumph at the post-match presentation at the MCG.
Excerpts:
On the journey from Hobart, where Australia lost to New Zealand, to MCG, where they beat India comprehensively
[There were] times in the batting innings where we saw pieces of Hobart but we continue to improve, which is most important. Our tail was outstanding with the batting in both innings. Full credit to our bowlers; we know how strong India’s batting line-up is and for our bowlers to be able to restrict them in both innings [was special].
On having specific plans for each of the Indian batsmen
We did in this Test match. No matter what team you play, you’ve got to have plans and the skill to execute them. Again, full credit to bowlers [who] were able to do that throughout this Test match.
On the bowlers putting up a good show with the bat
Crucial runs [were scored] in both innings [by the bowlers]. We are calling James Pattinson, Mathew Hayden these days, the way he is batting. The whole tail [was came good]. Credit needs to go to Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey as well; the way Punter played in both innings and Hussey in the second innings was outstanding.
On the next Test at Sydney and what promises to be a terrific Border-Gavaskar series
It’s a great start to the series. India are a fantastic team [and] we enjoy having them here in Australia and playing against them. It’s great to get a win against them in the first Test match but we know they are going to come hard at us in Sydney.
