'India have done correct thing by producing these sorts of wickets' - Michael Clarke shuts down Australian media's criticism of Indian pitches

The Australian batting has struggled to negate the spin threat on the Indian pitches in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy so far. The Kangaroos got bundled out in a session in the second innings of the first Test in Nagpur and lost nine wickets in a single session in the second Test played in Delhi.

Commenting on Australia’s batting woes, former Australian captain Michael Clarke was surprised to see the team management not taking help from Mark Waugh and Matthew Hayden.

Clarke criticised Australia’s approach of sweeping every ball in Delhi and asked management to take help from Hayden and Waugh to guide the players. As many as six Australian batters lost their wicket sweeping or reverse sweeping against the Indian spinners as they fell like a pack of cards in the first session on Day 3 of the second Test.

“Matt Hayden and Mark Waugh are both there in India as commentators. If I was in the Australian camp, I would want both of these men to be with the team at the nets every single day. If they want money give it to them,” Clarke was quoted as saying on Backstage with Boria season 4.

“Even Hayden who used the sweep to perfection is saying on commentary that you can’t just sweep every ball or play the reverse sweep every ball. He knows it. You can play these shots when you are not out 80, not when you are on 8. Why can’t the management use these players? Why can’t they draw on their experience?,” he added.

The 41-year-old further lashed out at the Australian media and former cricketers for criticising Indian pitches during the series.

India have used home advantage and are absolutely right in doing so: Michael Clarke

“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 further 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.

The third Test between the two teams will begin on Wednesday, March 1 in Indore. Steve Smith will be leading Australia in the absence of Pat Cummins who’s flown back to Australia to be alongside his ailing mother.

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