Test legend Matthew Hayden calls out batter’s ‘un-Australian’ act

Cricket great Matthew Hayden has whacked an Aussie star-batter with a stinging insult after a dour moment in the Third Test.

Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

Peter Handscomb has been called out for an “un-Australian” act during Australia’s first-innings collapse on Day 2 in Indore.

Australia’s hopes of building a big first innings lead had risen early in the day following the first hour of play as Cameron Green and Handscomb withstood the Indian attack, scoring just 30 runs in the first hour of play with some determined defence.

But things fell apart quickly in the second hour, with Australia losing its final six wickets for only 11 runs.

The collapse began with Handscomb edging one to the fielder under the helmet.

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The Victorian was dismissed for 19 runs, despite facing 98 deliveries.

While Handscomb won applause from some cricket commentators for the price he put on his wicket, there was also criticism about how his failure to keep the scoreboard ticking over also piled pressure on his batting partners at the other end.

Aussie Test legend Matthew Hayden even called Handscomb’s innings “un-Australian” in the commentary box.

Matthew Hayden knows what he’s talking about when it comes to playing in India. Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP.

Peter Handscomb of Australia. Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“He was very, very defensive with his mindset,” Hayden said in commentary.

“His strike rate of under 20 means that you are not going anywhere, and the scoreboard is not going anywhere, and that’s a product of some really tough batting conditions … he was sort of like a sitting duck in many ways.

“It’s almost un-Australian. I don’t want anyone out there to think that I’m overly criticising Pete, I’m not. It’s just not quite attacking enough. It’s such a tricky balance.”

Former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik also said: “His approach right now in India has been he’s going to wait for the bad ball, defend everything. He’s not going to attack because he feels the wicket is going to do something.

“It’s an interesting tactic, all of the other Australian batters have gone the other way.”

“He’s trusting his defence. It’s given him success in a few innings.”

The reaction to his knock was mixed.

Brilliant innings from Handscomb, but felt he was a bit too happy just batting out maidens.

Needed to look to rotate the strike a bit more. The wicket ball was always coming. #INDvAUS

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) March 2, 2023

Growing up in India we used to play a game called "French Cricket" This involved standing in the crease in a tightly marked circle and using the bat with minimal feet movement to keep the ball out. Handscomb has elevated that to Test cricket here.#INDvAUS

— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) March 2, 2023

Peter Handscomb has been sensational so far. Stretching forward to defend and going back when the length demands ... Agreed the pitch isn't doing as much as the first session of day one but this is top-drawer batting against spin. The lead is slowly creeping towards 100

— Ayan (@ayan_acharya13) March 2, 2023

Ashwin provides breatkthrough after Green and Handscomb had ground out an hour and more with dour defence. Aus strategy to bat as long as possible can only have high value if runs also keep coming. If lead restricted to 110-120, India remain in the game

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 2, 2023

Only 30 runs in that first hour but you will go a long way to see better batting by a pair of Australians on as difficult a surface as this one #INDvAUS

— Daniel Brettig 🏏 (@danbrettig) March 2, 2023

There will not be too many complaints about Handscomb’s technique if he is able to face 98 balls as Australia begins its second innings chase of needing 76 runs to win the Test.

A solid showing from the Aussie top order would do justice to Nathan Lyon’s extraordinary eight-wicket haul on Day 2.

Lyon finished the day with figures of 8/64 as India were bowled out for 163, leaving Australia needing 76 to win in a match which will likely be wrapped up before lunch on day three.

India is refusing to throw in the towel and the run chase will be fraught with danger on such a destructive pitch.

Umesh Yadav said afterwards that India would try to be “positive” and secure what would be a stunning victory to take a 3-0 lead in the four-Test series.

“It’s cricket and anything could happen,” Umesh told reporters.

“We will try to bowl tight and bowl them out soon. The wicket is not easy and scoring runs is difficult. It’s not easy to step out and hit as the bounce is low.”

Lyon said his performance was “up there as one of my career highlights” but that he was “more proud about our group”.

“Personal success is great to have but after (the second Test defeat in) Delhi we had a couple of really good days off as a team, and really good conversations at training,” Lyon said.

He also paid tribute to his “very good mate” Smith, who was captaining the side in place of Pat Cummins who went back to Australia to be with his ill mother.

“(Smith) is one of the best batters in the world, especially over the last decade. The way his brain works with cricket tactics provides me with good conversations,” Lyon said.

— with AFP