Skipper Tim Paine Friday said India was a proud nation that won’t roll over in the Boxing Day Test, and Australia must be “bang on the mark...
Skipper Tim Paine Friday said India was a proud nation that won’t roll over in the Boxing Day Test, and Australia must be “bang on the mark” to inflict more misery after their Adelaide collapse.
Australia head into the second Test in Melbourne full of confidence after thumping the visitors by eight wickets inside three days last week, skittling them for an embarrassing 36 in the second innings.
But Paine said it would be a mistake to underestimate India despite the tourists missing superstar captain Virat Kohli, who has returned home for the birth of his first child.
They will almost certainly also be without pace spearhead Mohammed Shami, who has reportedly fractured his wrist although this has yet to be confirmed by the team.
“We can’t pay any attention to mental scares or whatever anyone is talking about,” Paine said of India, who were savaged at home for their Adelaide capitulation.
“I mean, India is a proud cricket country, they are an extremely talented Test match side with lots of dangerous players.”
India will need to make at least two changes with Kohli and Shami out, but are widely tipped to make more after their first Test performance.
In contrast, Australia are expected to name the same XI.
Paine said Australia had studied everyone in...
