“At times, we [India in the first innings] were a touch wide, so we allowed the guys to leave a lot of balls. If you look at the history of pink ball Tests, that time of night if you bowl [in those areas], then you can pick up wickets.”
Morkel was, however, pleased with the improved performance from India’s attack on the second day.
“This morning, we got more balls in the right area, more consistently. We bowled better in partnerships.”
While Jasprit Bumrah held his own through the innings, picking up 4/61, Mohammed Siraj’s luck shined towards the end of the innings, with the bowler earning a four-for despite going at four runs an over. On the other hand, newcomer Harshit Rana, in just his second Test, went for quite a few, conceding 86 at over five without any wicket to his name.
India bowling coach Morkel expressed his sympathies with the youngster, stating that this ‘painful’ experience could turn out to be a good learning curve for the player.
“Harshit Rana is playing his second Test match, it will be a big learning curve for him, playing his first time in Australia. He is a guy who will learn from today and we can just look to get better.”
This post is an official press release from the ICC.
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