Tim Paine, Justin Langer
Tim Paine [Photo-Twitter]

Australian captain Tim Paine was a delightful man on the third day of the first Test against India in Adelaide as his side sparked a stunning turnaround to win the match. Australia, who began the third day on the backfoot, skittled India for 36 and limited their chase to only 90 to take a series lead in the four-match series. Tim Paine hugely credited the bowlers for shaping up their eight-wicket victory.

Tim Paine’s unbeaten innings of 73 proved to be crucial in the context of the game as his gritty knock helped Australia get reasonably close to India’s 244. Nevertheless, the tourists were confident since they had a 53-run lead and an in-form batting line-up, looking to set a big target for Australia. Australia, who dismissed Prithvi Shaw, late on the second day, bowled as well as they could have on the third day.

The third day started with Jasprit Bumrah chipping one back to the speedster, Pat Cummins. But the star of the day was Josh Hazlewood, who bagged figures of 8-3-5, notably Ajinkya Rahane and Mayank Agarwal. On the other hand, Pat Cummins snapped four and his main wickets were Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli as India recorded their lowest total in Tests and without any batsman reaching double figures.

'I Was Expecting A Real Dogfight': Tim Paine After Australia Dust India In The First Test
Josh Hazlewood celebrates a wicket. (Credits: Twitter)

Joe Burns and Matthew Wade – both of who struggled in the first innings, looked much more comfortable in the second and went for their shots freely. Burns and Wade also had the advantage of Mohammed Shami not being able to bowl as he copped a blow on his wrist while batting. The duo put on an opening partnership of 70 following which they lost Wade and Marnus Labuschagne. But Burns stayed till the end and hit a six, sealing the win and reaching his fifty.

Burnsy is a really important part of our team and all: Tim Paine

'I Was Expecting A Real Dogfight': Tim Paine After Australia Dust India In The First Test
Joe Burns. (Credits: Twitter)

Australian captain Tim Paine, who also earned the man of the match award, expressed surprise at the bowlers’ performance, who executed their plans to perfection. Tim Paine admitted that the crucial thing for them was getting close to India’s total and acknowledged that at 79-5, they ran the risk of losing a lot more wickets.

“Not really. I said this morning in the media that both these attacks have the ability to take quick wickets. Didn’t expect them to come this quick. When our boys execute and there’s anything in the wicket, this is what can happen. [On his knock] For the team very important to get close to that total. Obviously 5 for 79 you lose a few more and India go ahead in the test,” Paine said in the post-match presentation.

The Tasmanian went on to credit the bowlers taking adavntage of their height and bounce well enough; however, he admitted that the team needs to improve its batting performance. As far as Joe Burns’ fifty goes, Paine conceded that he remains a crucial part of their side and the unbeaten innings will indeed boost his confidence moving forward.

“When you’re as tall as our boys and as quick as our boys, it can become very difficult so credit to our bowlers again. Absolutely rapped with the way we bowled, but our batting was below what we expect. Burnsy is a really important part of our team and all cricketers know how hard it is to go on a run like that, to come out in a Test match and do that will do Burnsy a lot of good,” he added.

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