Commentators And Fans Slam India's Pacers For Dangerous Tactics Against Australia A

Fans and experts have criticised India’s pacers after they targeted No. 11 Australia A batsman Harry Conway with a barrage of bouncers late on day one of the ongoing three-day tour game at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Batting against the pink ball under the light is a tough task for any batsman let along a No. 11 and it was proven on Friday as 20 wickets fell on the first day of the tour match for 302 runs. And towards the end of the day, the Indian pacers decided to pepper Harry Conway with some fiery bouncers, much to everyone’s surprise.

It came just hours after the Indian players were seen showing concerns following the blow to Cameron Green’s head from a Jasprit Bumrah shot. Harry Conway copped the brunt of the assault from the Indian bowlers and despite not displaying concussion symptoms on the field, he has now been ruled out for the remainder of the match after being assessed after play. He has been replaced by Mark Steketee.

After India were all out for a modest 194, their pacers fired on all cylinders with Joe Burns, Ben McDermott, Sean Abbott and Will Sutherland all getting ducks. When skipper Alex Carey was dismissed to make it 97 for 8, it was all but over for Australia A, with Mitch Swepson following nine balls later, before Harry Conway came out for a cameo.

And to everyone’s surprise, India’s pacers welcomed him with a barrage of bouncers. Commentator Kerry O’Keeffe was heard saying: “These are the toughest yards in cricket, pink ball, after 10 o’clock at night.”

Both O’Keeffe and Brendan Julian were calling for the declaration, rather than putting the bowlers up to face the bouncers under lights at the SCG. In fact, Julian was in shock as he couldn’t believe Australia A hadn’t declared despite being 95 runs behind India.

“It’s all about just getting hit at the moment and that’s why you just declare, bring them in and say, ‘alright, let’s have a crack at them’,” he said.

“There’s plenty of time to deal with that sort of stuff towards the end of this game but if you’re going to be copping that, you’d want to be dishing that out to the Indian top order, not tomorrow,” he added.

India’s tactics were clear and it was just a matter of time before Harry Conway could get him. He was eventually hit on his head and was seen gesturing to the Australian dressing room to get checked by the doctor. The commentators said Conway seemed shaken up with Julian calling the Indians out.

“From India’s point of view, I don’t really see any reason why you’ve got to keep doing that,” he said referring to the bouncers.

Here are some reactions from Twitter on India’s tactics:

This is tough watching. Is Conway OK?

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) December 11, 2020

This is farcical. No one needs Harry Conway peppered at 10:45pm. Declare.

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) December 11, 2020

Short ball from Siraj rebounded off Conway's glove to clip the grill of his helmet. After a check he's ok and playing on. The short balls from the Indian bowlers to the number 11 have been outrageous tonight. #AusAvInd

— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) December 11, 2020

I didn't watch Bumrah's innings so I can't comment. My observation of the bowling of Siraj and Bumrah tonight was that the short bowling to the number 11 was unnecessary and wasteful and not likely to get him out. More likely to get Conway fired up at the Indian bats tomorrow.

— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) December 11, 2020

Not sure about Saini bowling this stuff to Harry Conway.

— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) December 11, 2020

Harry Conway looks scared. The Indian attack really looked intimidating with this pink ball. He literally wanted to get out and gave up on his wicket. Was scared out. Superb from India. 100 all out Aus A. Pink ball test 250 is a winning score!

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) December 11, 2020

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