Australia vs India: Glenn McGrath criticizes Australia’s defensive batting

Throughout the second day of the Adelaide Test, commentators used the term cultural change to denote Australia’s uncharacteristic style of play. Over the years, Australia have been known to play an aggressive brand of cricket that reflected in their run-rate. However, Adelaide Test saw Australia crawling at times, they kept losing wickets too and eventually conceded a lead of 53 runs to India.

“That’s been the issue today, they have been very defensive and sitting back, waiting for the bad ball and just taking singles rather than looking a bit more intent and take it to the bowlers and put a little bit of pressure back on the bowlers.”

McGrath thought that because of the lack of intent showed by the Australia batsman, India bowlers were able to dictate terms and control their line and length.

“Indian bowlers have been able to bowl wherever they want and when you are not scoring, you would get into trouble very soon because on such a pitch the wickets will come sooner or later. So, if you are not scoring you are not moving anywhere,” McGrath said while analysing the match situation for host broadcaster Sony during the tea break,” added McGrath.

Australia faced more than 72 overs for their 171 runs, scoring way under 3 runs per over.