I was scared to face India's bowling attack in Perth: Marcus Harris

The Indian sub-continent for many years was very well known for its mysterious spin attack. The new generation of young fast bowlers has changed the fate of Indian fast bowling. The present pace attack in India is known as one of the best over the years.

Marcus Harris the Australian opener admitted to the fact that he was quite scared to face the fast bowling of India. The Australian Tour of India 2018-19 was very different from the previous tours of Australia. The team had a solid bowling attack to rattle the good batting order of Australia. It is said that to win a Test match it is imperative that a team takes 20 wickets in the match.

The Indian trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Shami have made a benchmark in world cricket showcasing some stellar bowling performances. Bowling in tandem they force the batsmen to make a mistake. Also regarded as a ruthless and fearsome attack, the Test opener Marcus Harris revealed how he was scared to face the Indian seamers in the 2nd Test match at Optus Stadium in Perth during India’s tour to Australia in 2018-19.

‘It was scary in the middle’: Marcus Harris

After making a formidable 70 in the first Test, Marcus was looking to take a stand and build a solid partnership with Aaron Finch. But the tight bowling attack did not allow these two batsmen to settle down. After taking a blow in his right index finger, Finch had to retire hurt.

Harris himself was hit on the helmet. The opener was stun to have face the aggressive attack.  He admitted to the same in Amazon’s recently-released series ‘The Test’, “I was scared… Facing that attack (Indian fast bowlers) on that wicket (Perth) was scary. It might have looked good on TV, but it was scary in the middle,”

The team morale after incidents like these will have definitely dent the side. It is well admitted that the Australian batting lineup was surprised to face such a furious bowling attack from India. The batsmen were scared to defend the ball or to leave the ball. The Australian pitches are well known for its bouncy nature. Making use of the same, Jasprit and Shami took the initiative to bowl deadly bouncers to put the batting side on the back foot.

Over the years Indian team was always put under the pump with lack of intent and lack of aggression in their bowling attack in Australia. However, this tour sparked a new culture in which the pace bowlers led the side to a better position in the match as well impacted heavily on the series retention.