India Vs Australia, 4th Test: We Have Been A Bit Reliant On Smith: Graeme Hick
Mar 27, 2017 at 10:40 PM
Australia batting coach Graeme Hick has admitted the visitors were too reliant on their skipper Steve Smith on the tour.
Smith has been one of the biggest driving force behind his team’s remarkable show in the Indian subcontinent. In a series where batsmen from both the teams have struggled to get going, the Australia skipper has looked at his best, scoring 499 runs with the help of three centuries. However, a rare failure saw him getting out on 17 in the second innings of the Dharamsala Test and the Aussie team failed miserably, getting bowled out for a paltry 137.
“We have been a bit reliant on Smith. Considering the volume of runs he has got, you would want to keep him going. With the kind of form he has been in, his wicket was unfortunate,” Hick told reporters after the third day’s play in the fourth and final test at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
The former England batsman further said that David Warner would be disappointed with his performance in the series. The Australia opener managed only 193 runs at an average of 24.37 after he was dismissed for yet another low score in the second innings of the ongoing match.
“Warner will be disappointed with his aggregate on this tour. He is an aggressive player and that is the way we want him to play. He was desperate to do well and was expected to have a big influence here. Whether he put himself under pressure, only he can answer. He will reflect on it and assess it himself,” Hicks said.
When asked about the mood in the dressing room, Hicks said: “You could hear a pin drop in the dressing room. It was a very disappointing day. India bowled really well with the new ball and they rode the momentum.”
Chasing 105 to win the match as well as the series, India finished the day on 19 for no loss.