'It isn't over yet - we need four wickets'
As Australia closed in on a crushing victory in the first Test at Bangalore, a contented Australian coach, John Buchanan, faced the media at the close of the fourth day
Andrew Miller
23-Jun-2005
As Australia closed in on a crushing victory in the first Test at Bangalore, a contented Australian coach, John Buchanan, faced the media at the close of the fourth day:
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On the way the match has panned out
Well, first things first, it isn't over yet. We need four wickets, they need 360-odd runs, and they've got 90 overs to get them. Who knows what can happen. But in terms of the script, I'm happy with the way things have unfolded. There are areas that we can improve on, in particular our top-order batting, and we hope to get those in place for the next match. But our middle order gave us opportunity to bowl well.
Well, first things first, it isn't over yet. We need four wickets, they need 360-odd runs, and they've got 90 overs to get them. Who knows what can happen. But in terms of the script, I'm happy with the way things have unfolded. There are areas that we can improve on, in particular our top-order batting, and we hope to get those in place for the next match. But our middle order gave us opportunity to bowl well.
On Australia's strategy
Win the toss - that was the strategy that worked. OK, so maybe that's a bit flippant, but it's always important at the start of a series to establish a bridgehead. Day One saw us reach 316 for 5, and then an outstanding partnership between Clarke and Gilchrist carried us to 450 and gave a good start to the series. But tomorrow those four wickets are the priority.
Win the toss - that was the strategy that worked. OK, so maybe that's a bit flippant, but it's always important at the start of a series to establish a bridgehead. Day One saw us reach 316 for 5, and then an outstanding partnership between Clarke and Gilchrist carried us to 450 and gave a good start to the series. But tomorrow those four wickets are the priority.
On the sight of Harbhajan Singh taking yet more wickets
It's not a concern really. The Indian attack is based around spin, ours is based around pace, so you'd expect a higher percentage of wickets to fall to each. In this particular match, Harbhajan took 11 wickets, and Kumble just six or seven, so on balance he's been the outstanding bowler. But all in all, we're pleased with how we are playing.
It's not a concern really. The Indian attack is based around spin, ours is based around pace, so you'd expect a higher percentage of wickets to fall to each. In this particular match, Harbhajan took 11 wickets, and Kumble just six or seven, so on balance he's been the outstanding bowler. But all in all, we're pleased with how we are playing.
On the weaknesses in India's batting line-up
It's a very strong batting line-up. OK, so Yuvraj replaced Tendulkar for this match, and on runs alone maybe he didn't fill his shoes, but I don't think he can shoulder full responsibility. I think that right down the Indian order, each player will readily accept a measure of responsibility. A combination of things went against them. We bowled well and created chances, and we put runs on the board. And then maybe they didn't get going in the first innings, and were always playing catch-up.
It's a very strong batting line-up. OK, so Yuvraj replaced Tendulkar for this match, and on runs alone maybe he didn't fill his shoes, but I don't think he can shoulder full responsibility. I think that right down the Indian order, each player will readily accept a measure of responsibility. A combination of things went against them. We bowled well and created chances, and we put runs on the board. And then maybe they didn't get going in the first innings, and were always playing catch-up.
On the absences of Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar
It's a tough call. Ponting is our captain and No. 3 bat, and Tendulkar is one of the world's greats. It's difficult to play them off each other, but then if you look at the replacements - Simon Katich and Yuvraj - then you can say we came off better.
It's a tough call. Ponting is our captain and No. 3 bat, and Tendulkar is one of the world's greats. It's difficult to play them off each other, but then if you look at the replacements - Simon Katich and Yuvraj - then you can say we came off better.
On the performance of the bowlers
I'm very pleased, and it isn't over yet. All our bowlers have done a really good job, which is shown by the way the wickets are spread, in the first and second innings. And Shane [Warne], in his own words, is really enjoying the way he's bowling at the moment.
I'm very pleased, and it isn't over yet. All our bowlers have done a really good job, which is shown by the way the wickets are spread, in the first and second innings. And Shane [Warne], in his own words, is really enjoying the way he's bowling at the moment.
On the impact that Glenn McGrath has made
Those were a pretty important couple of overs to take two wickets [in the first innings], but if we'd been bowled out for 250, then all our bowlers and fieldsmen, and the Indian batting line-up, would have had a different approach. It's been outstanding bowling, and it's continued all through the innings. But the foundations were laid by our batting.
Those were a pretty important couple of overs to take two wickets [in the first innings], but if we'd been bowled out for 250, then all our bowlers and fieldsmen, and the Indian batting line-up, would have had a different approach. It's been outstanding bowling, and it's continued all through the innings. But the foundations were laid by our batting.