The sobering reality for Australia at the end of an epic Test series is their best squad threw their best punch – and they got knocked cold by an Indian team forced to rely on net bowlers.
Make no mistake, this was a Test series Australia should never have lost. Serious questions must be asked from top to bottom.
It was the much-talked about declaration that never came. And it has put Tim Paine’s captaincy under the microscope once again.
With two days to go of the Test summer, the pressure is on the Australian team – with question marks around misfiring senior players writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.
Somehow Australia had few answers for the gritty, yet expansive and exciting batting of two Indian tailenders which could cost us the series.
Some might say the Aussies lack a killer punch. But in reality, this Indian outfit is as tough as they come. Welcome to our most gripping series since 2005.
The Steve Smith ‘pitch scraping’ affair was a molehill that became a mountain. But it could have very real ramifications over a potential return to the captaincy.
India could risk playing a man down if they roll the dice on Jasprit Bumrah, while Marcus Harris looks to make the most of his recall.
Marnus Labuschagne rescued Australia from a day of shame at the Gabba – and also sent a message to his critics.
Tim Paine came in for plenty of criticism after his sledging against Ravichandran Ashwin in Sydney — now he’s responded to an Indian great’s captaincy gibe.
Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/journalists/robert-craddock/page/128