Steve Smith defends Australia’s tactics after Border-Gavaskar Cup win

Sport360 staff 06:31 31/12/2014
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  • Happy with the result: Australian captain Steve Smith has defended his decision to declare late against India at the MCG.

    Australia skipper Steve Smith defended the timing of his declaration as India held on for a draw in the third Test in Melbourne.

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    Australia set the tourists a 384-run victory target off just 70 overs yesterday, after batting throughout the morning session and declaring at lunchtime.

    The match finished in a draw with India on 174 for six. But Australia reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after winning in Adelaide and Brisbane, ahead of next week’s final Test in Sydney.

    Both Shaun Marsh and Ryan Harris found scoring difficult in the morning session until Marsh went after quick runs to chase a century and was run out for 99.

    Smith, was questioned about his declaration call at his post-match press conference, saying: “India have some very good batters in their side. 

    "I don't think there was a win still there to be honest. All our bowlers were pretty cooked and I think it was just time to finish – I just don't think we had four wickets in us at the end there.

    “The wicket didn’t break up at all, it was still a very good wicket. But I didn't really want to give India a crack with the batters they had in the shed and how good that wicket was.

    A draw in the third test at the MCG saw Australia reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Cup against India.

    Asked about Australia’s oft-stated desire to play aggressively, he added: “We always play to win, but it was one of those circumstances where India had an opportunity to take the new ball this morning.

    “They didn’t do that so we thought ‘You know what? We’ll just give you a few less overs to get these runs’.

    "There wasn't any up and down movement, there wasn't any spin.

    "I changed my mind a couple of times, I wasn't quite sure when to pull out.

    "And we got another series win, which is what we were after." 

    Meanwhile, Australian Test great Glenn McGrath has defended Steve Smith's decision to declare at lunch, believing that it only made sense given the condition of the wicket. 

    "I think a lot of the decision came down to the wicket out there," McGrath told Fairfax Radio.

    "That's one of the flattest wickets that I've seen at the MCG.

    "It's not a day five wicket, it's a day three wicket, and if you get quality batsman in there that get set, you just never know.

    "I've got no issue with the way Steve Smith went about it.

    "I'm sure there will be plenty said in the press tomorrow but for anyone who turned up to the game today, they would have still enjoyed it.

    "I don't think anyone would have walked away from the game today disappointed."

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