India vs Australia | First two Tests of this series have been really tough, asserts Tim Paine

12/18/2018

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After winning the second Test and levelling the series against India, Tim Paine is of the opinion that the first two matches were really tough. The Aussie skipper has also stated that the hosts have some inexperienced players and the win at Perth will be a confidence booster for the side.

After going down to the visitors in the first Test in Adelaide, the Time Paine-led side managed to register a win in the second one and levelled the four-match series 1-1. Nathan Lyon’s heroics with the ball ensured that the Aussies pick up five wickets in the first session of the final day at Optus Stadium in Perth to ensure the 146-run win. This is the first Test victory for the home team after the Sandpapergate earlier this year in South Africa. Paine mentioned during the post-match press conference that he feels relieved after the victory against the Indians in the second Test and implied that the first two games were really tough but the win will be a confidence booster for them.

"As a group, we are really - well, I am relieved, personally. It's been hard work. The first two Tests of this series have been really, really tough. Both teams have outstanding fast-bowling attacks. It's been a really bruising Test match to be honest. I think, we have touched on before, we have some really inexperienced players in terms of Test matches played. To get a win like that against the best team in the world is going to give them a huge boost of confidence, no doubt,” Paine said, as reported by Cricbuzz.

"But it means nothing as soon as we get to Melbourne next week at the MCG. It's going to be on again from ball one, so we have to maintain that intensity and match India in that area. If we do, we are going to be right in the fight again."

India had won the Adelaide Test match last week by getting the better of the Australians by 31 runs and despite being 1-0 down in the series, the home team bounced back well as they started off the second game with a 112-run stand for the opening wicket between Marcus Harris and Aaron Finch. The Aussie skipper explained the importance of the partnership during the press conference.

"I think there were a number of things. Going right back to day one when we won the toss and batted, I thought the way Finchy and Marcus Harris played in that first session, to put on 112, looking back now was critical. It allowed us to get a 300-plus score in the first innings. From that moment I felt we were always just ahead in the game, and only needing a partnership or a wicket to continually stay in front. I thought the way they set us up was outstanding, then Nathan Lyon's bowling in the first innings was, again, unbelievably good,” Paine stated.

"Obviously you want to start games well. Momentum is obviously huge in cricket and when you have got it you have got to make the most of it. I am really proud of the way we stuck at it, I think the game tightened up at certain stages and then we stuck to our guns and delivered our skills really well under pressure at times and were managing to keep eking ahead in the game, against a team that's as good as India that's really pleasing for our side."

Paine also praised Lyon’s bowling in the game as the off-spinner returned with eight wickets in the game with crucial ones of Ajinkya Rahane in the first and Virat Kohli in the second innings. India went into the game with an all-pace attack while the Aussie skipper decided to go ahead with an unchanged side and it paid off for them with Lyon getting the Man of the Match award.

"It does seem like he is getting better, I feel like at any stage you can throw him the ball, it doesn't matter at what end, or who is on strike, what time of day it is, he loves it and he loves getting in the contest, even with the bat at the moment, I think his game keeps going to another level, I can feel guys growing in confidence around Nathan and that's what you want form your senior players. He's been fantastic for us."

Paine also talked about the discussions on the verbal spat between the two skippers during the series. He stated that he and other players are very passionate about representing their country. He also expressed his happiness that the Aussies were competitive and played a hard style of cricket.

"It was just two competitive cricketers trying to do their best to win the game. You've just got to read the situation and go with what you are feeling at the time. I think it's just one of those things, at times you have got to draw a line and start sticking up for yourself and sticking up for your teammates. We are really passionate about playing for Australia and we are certainly not going to sit back and be walked all over. Sometimes those things happen and you have to get involved,” Paine explained.

"I think we have slowly been building in to our style of cricket and I am really proud of the way we went about it. I was really proud of the way our team conducted themselves on the field this week. I was really happy with the competitive, hard style of cricket we played."

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