Australia vs India: Our Bowlers Have Got Better In The Last Two Years - Justin Langer

Head coach of the Australian cricket team, Justin Langer believes that his bowlers have improved in the last two years since they bowled to the Indian batsman in the 2018-19 series.

India defeated Australia on their previous tour by the scoreline of 2-1. Australian bowlers sweated hard in the field to dismiss all ten Indian wickets. Cheteshwar Pujara scored over 500 runs with three centuries. Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli recorded a century each. No Aussie batsman notched a three-figure score.

Melbourne and Sydney were flat wickets: Justin Langer.

Steve Smith fired first shots by challenging the Indian bowlers to bowl him short balls. Coach, Justin Langer has said that India scored runs on two batting-friendly wickets in their previous tour.

Langer opined that after in the third Test, losing the toss at the MCG, India batted first for almost two days on one of the flattest pitches he has seen. In the fourth match at the SCG, India again batted first on another flat wicket, feels Justin Langer.

As quoted by The Age newspaper, Justin Langer said, “If I go back to that time (2018-19), we lost a toss at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) after winning the Perth Test match – lost the toss on possibly the flattest wicket I’ve seen in Test cricket … and they (India) batted for nearly two days. And then we had to back it up and play at the SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground)the next Test match on a pretty flat wicket as well.” 

The former Aussie opener said that he isn’t making excuses and gives credit to Virat Kohli’s team for defeating Australia in their backyard for the first time in history. However, the 49-year-old is confident that his bowlers have bettered themselves in the last couple of years and are ready to bowl to the experienced Indian batsman.

The Aussie bowling attack comprises Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, and Pat Cummins. It will be supported by the likes of James Pattinson, Mitchell Swepson, Michael Neser, and Sean Abbott.

“Not making excuses, but it was tough going back then. India were on top of their game, they deserved to beat us for the first time in their history. But our guys are two years better and a lot of the Indians are the same, more experienced. I can’t wait to see them go. Can’t wait,” Justin Langer further said.

Australia will host India in six limited-overs games and four Test matches. The hosts lost their previous series to the visitors. However, their batting is bolstered with the return of Steve Smith, David Warner, and the emergence of Marnus Labuschagne.

Also Read: Steve Smith Has Wiped The Slate Clean And Can Lead Australia Again, Says Jason Gillespie