Siraj in ICC World Test Championship
After Travis Head’s counterattacking hundred on the first day of the World Test Championship final, India pacer Mohammed Siraj claimed on Thursday that the squad intended to bowl only bouncers to him regardless of the result.
Australia is in a commanding position on the second day at the Oval thanks to Head’s 163 off 174 balls.
On day one, questions were raised about the Indians’ strategy of not using the short ball against Head, which compelled them to alter their strategy the next day.
Siraj’s Statement
The Australian batsman was eventually dispatched by Siraj with a short ball to the side of the leg.
Seam movement and sticky bounce were present yesterday morning. After that, the six-meter length did not have enough swing, making it easier for batters. Also, the head batted incredibly.
With four wickets in Australia’s first-innings total of 469 all out, Siraj, India’s star bowler, stated, “We could have bowled with better lines”.
On day two, Siraj believed they had the necessary luck with the short ball. He said, “We decided to only bowl bouncer to Head, and if he is hit from there, so be it.
We tried and were successful”.
“We increased pressure without allowing too many runs, which was also helpful.
Even though we employed bouncers yesterday, the chances went in the gap”.
“I just had four or five opportunities with my bowling.
Australia would have crossed the 500 mark if we had bowled poorly”, he claimed.
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Siraj continued, “On day two, the wicket had more pace and irregular bounce.”
The wicket has more pace, and the bounce is inconsistent. We bowled well, but Head’s style of batting made us push our lengths back.
After Steve Smith had completed his hundred in the first over of the day for Australia”, he added.
Source PTI
