‘Bodyline feel’ had Justin Langer considering declaration

Australia were so concerned for the safety of their tailenders under a bouncer barrage, Justin Langer admits he was tempted to declare in a bid to save them from injury.

India delivered a brutal spell late in the second innings. Picture: Williams West

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Australia were so concerned for the safety of their tailenders under a bouncer barrage, Justin Langer admits he was tempted to declare in a bid to save them from injury.

On a fast and unpredictable Perth wicket, Australia’s quicks then got their revenge on India’s tail on Tuesday – with some fearsome short-pitched bowling of their own that champion Australian batsman Mark Waugh said had a “Bodyline feel”.

On Monday India went into ultra-aggressive mode as they peppered Australia’s bowlers with bumpers. Man of the match Nathan Lyon wore the worst of them when he copped a blow to the helmet which halted play for several minutes.

India delivered a brutal spell late in the second innings. Picture: Williams West

So fiery was the brutal spell from Indian quick Mohammed Shami, Mitchell Starc said he finally understood how England pair James Anderson and Stuart Broad had felt when they were hit with a short-pitched blitzkrieg during last year’s Ashes series.

Lyon joined Mitchell Starc in the middle with Australia holding onto a 242-run lead, and with Shami in the midst of a terrifying spell which ultimately netted him six wickets and Jasprit Bumrah pushing the radar gun towards 145km/h.

Justin Langer considered declaring to protect his bowlers. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Suspecting Australia had enough runs on the board, and in an attempt to protect his bowlers, the thought of declaration crossed Langer’s mind – but he decided against it, and was rewarded as Starc and Josh Hazlewood added 36 for the final wicket and took the sting out of India’s comeback.

“Funnily enough, and this might sound ridiculous now because Josh and Mitch put on (36) at the end there, but we were actually thinking ‘maybe we should declare now’,” Langer told Fox Cricket.

The Perth pitch produced plenty of surprises. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

“Because we didn’t want anything to happen to Nathan Lyon, or one of our bowlers.

“Shami’s spell after lunch (on Monday)… he’s not renowned as an ultra-aggressive bowler but it was ultra-aggressive and it was nervous to watch.”

Australia’s quicks got their payback as India fought for survival on Tuesday, with their fragile tail looking firmly out of their depth as Starc and Pat Cummins unleashed a sustained volley of short-pitched bowling.

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Towering Indian quick Ishant Sharma looked decidedly uncomfortable and backed away to the legside as Cummins rocked him with rib-ticklers.

Australia had an aggressive field, including fielders at short leg, leg slip and square leg.

“They aren’t used to (short-pitched bowling). They can’t cope with it. And you just fear there’s going to be a nasty injury.” Waugh said.

“It’s got a bodyline feel.”

It brought back memories of last summer, when England great Michael Atherton called on umpires to step in when Australia’s pace trio was employing similar tactics to those on display in Perth on Tuesday.

“I did wonder aloud at the time why the umpires were so reluctant to act to protect Ball,” Atherton wrote, referring to Australia’s bumper barrage to England No.10 Jake Ball in the first Test.

“Test cricket or not, the Law and the playing conditions are there to protect batsmen incapable of protecting themselves.”

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Originally published as ‘Bodyline feel’ had Justin Langer considering declaration