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Cant Let Him Dictate Terms Smith On Tackling Ashwin In Future Tests

Can't let him dictate terms: Smith on tackling Ashwin in future Tests

Australia’s top batsman Steven Smith has been out of form in the ongoing Test series against India, unable to play any significant innings in both the Tests. According to the 31-year-old himself, he believes that he has let the Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin dictate terms to him while batting.

"I probably haven't played Ashwin as well as I would've liked. I probably would've liked to have put him under a bit more pressure. I've sort of let him dictate terms and that's something I've probably never let any spinner do in my career,” Smith told SEN radio.

Saying that he would like to be a 'bit more aggressive’ to the bowlers and had ‘made them change things’, Smith lamented on the fact that he hasn’t really been able to do that to Ashwin in this series.

Smith also said that to tackle Ashwin and to get into a bit of form, his scheme is to spend more time in the middle. "At the moment I'm searching for a time in the middle; that's the most important thing for me. When I look at this year, 64 balls is the longest I've spent in the middle, during those one-day games,” he said after the Melbourne defeat of the Aussies.

"For me, that's important. I find a lot of rhythm out in the middle. You can bat as much as you want in the nets but there's nothing that can replicate what a game can do. So, that for me, is what I'm searching for at the moment," he added.

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DDCA asks Bedi to reconsider his decision of removing name from Arun Jaitley Stadium's stand

The newly elected president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA), Rohan Jaitley, son of the late Arun Jaitley has asked the legendary spin bowler Bishan Singh Bedi to reconsider his decision. Bedi had said that he would want his name removed from one of the stands of the Arun Jaitley Stadium, previously known as Feroz Shah Kotla. The septuagenarian raised this demand in protest of DDCA’s decision of installing Arun Jaitley’s life-size statue in front of the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Bedi wanted that instead of a ‘corrupt’ administrator and politician a sportsman’s statue would have been rather fitting. "Bedi Ji is the 'Bhisham Pitamah' of Delhi cricket. If there are reservations, there are better ways of discussing them. I am a youngster and I expect to be guided by the elders in the fraternity. His name on the stands is his legacy, an honour bestowed upon him," Rohan said. Answering whether DDCA would remove the name of Bedi from the stand, Rohan said, "These matters have to be decided by the Apex Council. It's not in my domain. It's not in my power to remove anyone's name. We have discussed it within the DDCA. We are going to request him to reconsider it. It's a long affiliation between the DDCA and Mr. Bedi." "It matters, I want his name to be there. I respect him as much as my father, if he wants to scold me, he can pull my ear but you can't hit below the belt when it is not required,” he added terming the attack on his deceased father as being below the belt.

One of the greatest comebacks: Shastri lauds Team India after MCG victory

Indian coach Ravi Shastri was ecstatic with the Indian victory over Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground and termed it as one of the greatest comebacks in Test cricket, after India were humbled in Adelaide, getting out for their lowest ever score (36 runs) in Test cricket history. "I think it will go down in the annals of not only Indian cricket but world cricket as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the game," Shastri said while talking to the broadcasters after India’s eight-wicket victory. Praising the character of the team, Shastri said, "To be rolled over for 36 in three days and then get up and ready to punch back was outstanding. Boys deserve all credit for the character they showed. It's a real character." The 58-year-old further said that this victory would work like magic for Indian cricket fans all over the world who have gone through so much in the time of the pandemic. "I think it's a great present from the team for the millions of fans around the world to have a happy new year, bringing some smiles on the faces going into the New Year," he said. The two debutants in Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj played crucial roles in the victory where Siraj took five wickets in the game while Gill made a brave 45 in the first innings and 35 not out in the second. "That's the brand of cricket we have been playing for the last three or four years. When you saw these two debutants show that kind of flair, discipline, and maturity, it was great. Today Siraj's numbers were outstanding,” said Shastri.

Daily Round-up | 29 Dec: India third Test venue confirmed

India's venue for the third Test match confirmed!

AUS vs IND: Cricket Australia confirms SCG as venue for 3rd Test

Amid the rising uncertainty about the venue of the third Test between Australia and India, Cricket Australia has confirmed that the New Year Test will take place on its traditional vene at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Notably, there were discussions in Cricket Australia ranks as Sydney was reporting a number of Covid-19 cases in the past week. Cricket Australia in its statement said that the decision to host the Test at the SCG has been taken after various rounds of consultations on the issue of Covid-19 outbreak in the Northern beaches of Sydney. Both sides will travel to Brisbane where the health guidelines as per the Queensland state government are in action and hence Cricket Australia had to weigh in various options after meetings with New South Wales and Queensland state health officials. “Despite the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am delighted to say Cricket Australia remains on track to deliver the men’s international series as scheduled. We have met regularly over the past week to assess the unfolding public health situation in Sydney and gauge its impact on border restrictions around the country. To date, we have been able to deliver a safe and successful summer thanks to our detailed biosecurity protocols and the amazing work of so many great people behind the scenes. To that end, we have made the decision to keep the New Year’s Test at the SCG, which has a wonderful recent history of hosting the Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day on the third day of play,” Cricket Australia’s Interim CEO, Nick Hockley said. The ongoing Border Gavaskar series is levelled at 1-1 after the touring Indian side bounced back strongly at the MCG to register an eight-wicket win after facing a humiliating defeat in Adelaide.