Adam Gilchrist calls out Australia's “negative, illegal tactics” against India in Perth Test

Australia are on the verge of a massive defeat in the first Test against Australia.

By Salman Anjum - 25 Nov, 2024

Legendary wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist didn’t mince his words as he slammed the Australian team for using tactics “deemed negative, illegal" against India on Day 3 of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth.

Riding on centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (161) and Virat Kohli (100*), the visitors declared their second innings at 487/6, setting a mammoth target of 534 for the home side.

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Kohli demolished the Australian bowling attack towards the end of India’s second innings. Reddy was the chief destroyer as he slammed 38 off 27 balls.

Australia’s front-line bowlers were totally ineffective and captain Pat Cummins’ decision to use Marnus Labuschagne drew criticism. In the last half hour of Indian innings, the hosts looked completely decimated.

Gilchrist and former England captain Michael Vaughan were critical of Labuschagne bowling around the wicket, a ploy considered negative.

“Have you ever seen such a despondent team of Australian cricketers, resorting to those tactics? What are deemed negative, illegal tactics really by the rulebook?" Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.

In reply, Vaughan said: “It’s not something I’ve seen before from Australia."

“I’m looking at this Australian side, they’re a terrific side, and for whatever reason they bowl out India for 150, then only bat well enough to only get 104, and then with the ball in hand they had periods where they bowled nicely but that last half an hour is something I’ve not seen in Australia," he added.

“Every boundary rider was on the fence, Labuschagne’s bowling around the wicket, he’s bowling negatively."

Coming to the match, Australia were reeling at 12/3 at the close of play. While Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Nathan McSweeney (0) and Labuschagne (3), Mohammed Siraj got rid of Cummins (2).

In the first session on Day 3, Siraj removed Usman Khawaja (4) and Steve Smith (17) to reduce the Aussies to 79/5. The hosts went to the lunch break with 104/5 on the board, still needing 430 runs with only five wickets in hand.

(With PTI Inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 25 Nov, 2024

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