Published: Nov 11, 2016, 11:12 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 11, 2016, 11:14 AM (IST)
Former Australia bowling great Jason Gillespie has lashed out at the Australian batsmen for not being more aggressive and responsible. Gillespie feels that the performance by the Australian middle order batsmen were not up to the mark at Perth against South Africa in the first Test. Gillespie was saddened to see the batsmen make 30s-40s and then get out playing a silly shot. Gillespie wants the likes of Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh and Peter Nevill to focus more on doing their jobs. Australia will take on South Afirca in the second Test of the 3-match series at Hobart on Saturday. Full Cricket Scorecard: Australia vs South Africa 2nd Test at Hobart
Gillespie in an exclusive column for cricket.com.au wrote about why Australian bowlers were scrutinised more (wrongly) than their batsmen. Gillespie felt that batsmen are not putting enough runs on the board for their bowlers to defend. Gillespie felt that the batsmen needed to judge the length of the ball and play the ball then. Gillespie said that he would have liked Glen Maxwell included in Test side, and feature as a batsmen in the top six. Talking about the Hobart Test, Gillespie said he would want to see bounce and carry from the wicket which would make the contest and promote the format.
Skipper Steve Smith said on Friday that the team might play with just four bowlers as rain threatens Australia’s chances of rebounding from their mauling against South Africa in the second Test from Saturday.
