Mohammed Siraj Seemed Quite Calm And In Control Of His Emotions: Michael Hussey

Former Australia middle-order batsman Michael Hussey heaped praises on Mohammed Siraj for his performance on the first day of the second Test against Australia. Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj was one of the debutants in the second Test in Melbourne against Australia and enjoyed a stellar day. Michael Hussey claimed that at one point, Siraj looked like taking a wicket off every ball.

Mohammed Siraj bowled his first over after lunch on the first day and struggled slightly initially. The 26-year old contributed the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in 15 overs, giving away 40 runs and earning four maidens. Siraj supported the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin – both of who shared seven wickets between them.

Michael Hussey said that Mohammed Siraj was excellent and had a delightful smile throughout the day as he enjoyed being on the field, charging in and cashing in on his opportunity. The Western Australian added that Siraj kept his composure amid a Boxing Day Test, which is supposed to be a massive occasion. Hussey observed that the 26-year old was wholly in control of his emotions.

“I thought he was excellent. What I loved the most about him was he had the biggest smile on his face whole day in the field. He just loved being out there, loving charging in when he got his opportunity to bowl and giving his best at it. I thought his first spell, he composed himself really well because it’s not easy since you playing your first Test in a Boxing Day Test at the MCG. It’s a huge occasion and he seemed quite calm and in control of his emotions,” Hussey told ESPN Cricinfo.

I feel as though, they bowled better when the ball gets a bit older: Michael Hussey

Michael Hussey went on to say that the second spell was the one where Mohammed Siraj bowled exceptionally well and felt that Indian bowlers did well when the cherry got older, swinging the ball both ways, and doing it late. The 45-year old added that at one point it felt like Siraj was going to bag a wicket off almost every ball and enjoyed Cameron Green’s dismissal the most.

“Maybe he could’ve bowled a little bit better but his second spell was where he really came into his own when the ball was older. A few of the Indian bowlers, I feel as though, they bowled better when the ball gets a bit older. It is result of being brought up on those flat Indian pitches, very skilful, swinging the ball late both ways and picked up a crucial wickets for India. And you got a feeling there for a while that he was going to get a wicket off almost every ball. I enjoyed Cameron Green’s wicket the most,” he added.

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