“When a team comes to Australia, we always want to start them at the Gabba” – Michael Clarke shuts down Australian media regarding the criticisim of the Indian pitches

While the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is now being played on Indian wickets, the Australian batting has had difficulty countering the spin threat. In the second innings of the first Test in Nagpur, the Kangaroos lost all ten of their wickets in a single session, while in the second Test, played in Delhi, they lost nine wickets in a single session.

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke expressed disappointment that Mark Waugh and Matthew Hayden were not consulted by the team management about Australia’s batting troubles.

Clarke criticized Australia‘s strategy in Delhi, where the team swept every ball, and he suggested that the team’s management seek guidance from Hayden and Waugh. At one point in the morning session of Day 3 of the second Test, as many as six Australian batsmen lost their wicket sweeping or reverse sweeping against the Indian spinners and collapsed like a house of cards.

The 41-year-old went on the offensive against the Australian media and veteran cricketers for their criticism of Indian pitches throughout the series.

What did Michael Clarke say?

“When you are going to India you absolutely know what you are up against. You know what kind of pitches you will get and let me say this clearly to you- India has done the exact correct thing by producing these sorts of wickets. They have been smart. They have used home advantage and are absolutely right in doing so,” Clarke said.

“When a team comes to Australia, we always want to start them at the Gabba. We want to unsettle them with pace and bounce. We know it is the best way to use home advantage. If that’s not wrong why(sic) India has done can’t be wrong either. It isn’t wrong. Second, Ashwin and Jadeja are as good as anyone you will ever get in world cricket in these conditions. They are two greats of the modern game. You have to give them the respect they deserve and for that you needed to prepare well and prepare smart. Australia hasn’t done that,” he said.

On March 1st, in Indore, the third Test between the two sides will get underway. Pat Cummins has returned to Australia to deal with his unwell mother, thus Steve Smith will be guiding Australia in his absence.