Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has lauded the century stand of Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar on day 3 of the Gabba Test. The duo added 123 of 217 balls to stage a memorable fightback and bringing the visitors back in the game in the process. Both the Indian batsmen frustrated the Australian bowlers with every run they scored in that partnership.
This happened after both he and Sundar took three wickets with the ball in the Australian first innings. Meanwhile Talking to Cricket.com.au, Ricky Ponting said that the partnership was what India exactly needed after close to being bowled out by lunch.
The Partnership Was Outstanding: Ricky Ponting
“The batsmanship has been a real standout and their application and concentration. They didn’t throw it away. The partnership was outstanding, exactly what India needed at the time which is what they’ve been able to produce in a few Test matches,” Ponting told cricket.com.au.
Ponting, however, felt Australia lacked aggression and their fast bowlers should have attacked the Indian lower-order with more short-pitched deliveries.
“I don’t think they were aggressive enough, didn’t bowl enough short balls. They let the Indian batsmen be way too comfortable at the crease. They almost bowled the way those batsmen would have wanted them to bowl,” said the former Australian skipper.
He also added that the Gabba track did not help the Australian pacers while the stand was on.
“It’s been a bit of a struggle for them (Australian fast bowlers), the wicket’s been flat, there hasn’t been any sideways movement and certainly no swing.
In their second innings, Australia started watchfully as well as they scored 21 in six overs with David Warner unbeaten on 20, bringing up his highest score of the series. A 197 overs are expected to be bowled in the final two-day play at The Gabba if the weather does not interfere in the day’s proceedings.
Also Read: Twitter Erupts After An Incredible Partnership Between Washington Sundar And Shardul Thakur