Australia players engage in bizarre fielding practice ahead of Perth Test

The Australian players were seen practising hard ahead of the game.

Published - 13 Dec 2018, 11:57 IST | Updated - 13 Dec 2018, 11:57 IST

2 Min Read

Australia produced some good fielding in the first Test of the four-match series at Adelaide Oval, though the end result went against them. The hosts cornered India on the first day morning but a fabulous century from Cheteshwar Pujara brought back the visitors back into the game and Virat Kohli’s men eventually won it by 31 runs despite a valiant effort from the home team.

All eyes are now on the second Test between Australia and India which is set to begin at the new Perth Stadium from Friday. This will be the first time in the history of the rivalry of these two powerhouses that Australia will be taking the field in the second Test trailing the series and it will certainly keep them under added pressure to perform. Now, whether the pressure makes them deliver or crumble more is to be seen once the game starts.

That Australia are eager to make it 1-1 to save the series before it gets too late is visible from the fact that they have ordered a green cover at the stadium which will be hosting its first Test. But Tim Paine’s team will also be keeping in mind that the visiting side also has a strong fast bowling attack and that could put the hosts’ batsmen under some challenge as well.

A loss against India will put Langer under pressure

Australian players were seen practising hard ahead of the game and it was also seen that the Baggy Greens were fielding in some bizarre fashion with a player throwing balls from under a structure on the ground at another player with the bat. Coach Justin Langer, who took over the reins from Darren Lehmann in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal in Australia earlier this year, was also present on the spot.

Langer is reputed for his coaching instincts but the Baggy Greens are yet to win a series under him in any format. They have lost against teams like Pakistan, South Africa, and England and another series loss to India could put the Langer-Paine partnership under all the more pressure.