India’s beleaguered Test side are on course for their second successive away series whitewash following their latest comprehensive defeat, as Australia claimed victory in the third Test in Perth. The result sees the Aussies take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four match series – heaping pressure on a team that could be about to undergo a similar period of change as Australia did.
Those who bet on Australian cricket are already predicting a 4-0 victory that will help heal some of the wound inflicted on them following last year’s Ashes, while leaving India at a crossroads following their similar hammering at the hands of England last summer.
It was the Australian pace attack that put paid to any chance India had of getting back into this series. After tearing apart this experienced Indian batting line-up in the first innings, it was a similar story in the second. Peter Siddle finally managed to claim the vital wicket of Virat Kohli, who had threatened to really get going after batting through the morning session and reaching his Test-best score of 75.
It was Ben Hilfenhaus who stole the headlines though, following a truly a destructive spell – including a stunning three wicket over – as the hosts made easy work of the Indian lower-order; taking the final four wickets without conceding a single run.
The fast-paced conditions at the WACA - which have summed up the trend of this series - have baffled and flummoxed this, at times, sorry looking Indian side.
The next live cricket online will be at the Adelaide Oval, with the Australians smelling blood.
Skipper MS Dhoni, who will miss the final Test of the series after becoming the first Test captain to be suspended for a slow over rate, was clear that it had been the lack the runs that had cost India dear.
“Getting out below 200, there's not much for the bowlers. In this Test we should have scored more runs.”
“We have not adapted well to the conditions quickly enough.”
“The bowlers have shown they can take wickets, we need to put the runs on the board.”
