“It was an exciting game, played in exemplary spirit, and in front of record crowds – a great advert for Test cricket”.
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Rod Marsh, the selection panel chairman for Australia believes that it was his “gut feeling” that he made a decision to have Nathan Coulter-Nile as replacement for injured Mitchell Starc. “We got around Sidds this morning and he came out and gave it his all as well like he always does”, the skipper said.
“Today was the first practice and the guys looked as good as you can look after a long flight”, Simmons was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au on Sunday.
The West Australian hasn’t played first-class cricket since the Shield final in March.
Australia’s pace bowling stocks will be tested in Starc’s absence, particularly after the retirements in recent months of veterans Ryan Harris and Johnson.
Last week in this space I expressed my concerns about how the match would go, how well the new-coloured ball would work, and for the safety of the players.
“Injury’s always disappointing but that’s part and parcel of fast bowling so it’s about recovering now and healing and getting back on the horse and I guess working back on my bowling”.
Hazlewood’s bowled a total of 119.1 overs throughout the three-Test series and Smith noted he would need a rest soon. However, Peter Siddle has a back niggle and team management have been anxious about Josh Hazlewood’s workloads since the first Test against New Zealand. Nearly as many (81%) suggested that all Tests in Adelaide now be played under lights.
He bowled exceptionally well to take six scalps, after being questioned by critics, following his returns in the Ashes series in England, and the first two Tests at home this summer.
The second-ranked Australians are expected to be too strong for the eighth-rated West Indies in the three-Test series, starting in Hobart on December 10.
Australia won the Test to clinch a 2-0 series win against New Zealand.
“Our players will be looking to establish themselves and gain as much experience as possible”. “I think there is a bit more exploring that needs to be done”, New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor, who was dismissed lbw for 32 in the late session, told reporters.
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“I’ve never actually had to go out there and do anything”.
