Australia’s fast-bowling coach David Saker has said the Steven Smith-led side is capable of making a strong comeback even after losing the second Test in Bengaluru by 75 runs, which was further marred by the Decision Review System (DRS) controversy.
“You have to take it back to just winning the next contest and when we get to Ranchi we will prepare as best we possibly can and then go into the Test and hopefully compete like we have in the first two.” Saker was quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au.
The former fast-bowler also stated the side put on a great show in Pune on a raging turner.
“The thing is just trying to play the game and not get too emotionally involved because over here that can happen,” Saker added.
The second Test witnessed send-offs, sledging, verbal volleys and the infamous controversy on the DRS between both teams after Smith sought an off-field advice for an on-field decision.
Saker recalled the time he was England’s coach during the India tour in 2012.
“I remember that tour we lost really badly in the first Test and then bounced back and played some really good cricket,” Saker said.
However, England went on to win the Mumbai and Kolkata Tests before fourth Test in Nagpur ended in a draw.
Saker urged the visitors the need to regroup and give their best to rebound by playing according to their skills in the remainder of the games in the Border-Gavaskar series.
It was hosts’ veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin – who annihilated the Australian batting line-up by claiming six crucial wickets to level the series 1-1 on Day 4 of the Bengaluru Test.
“The first Test was fantastic, but we WEREN’T good enough in the end in second Test, but the side is capable enough to make a comeback” Saker said.
However, the 50-year-old Saker further admitted it was a huge mistake from the Australian skipper Steven Smith and batsman Peter Handscomb for looking at the dressing room.
“It was a big mistake from both the batsman [Handscomb and Smith],” Saker added.
Saker, who was the bowling coach for England when they travelled to India, saw the then side regrouped after their first Test loss in Ahmedabad.
“And obviously what’s just happened in the second Test, it’s easy then to get emotionally involved in the game,” Saker concluded.
The Victoria-born Saker played 72 first-class games – in which he bagged 247 wickets at an average of 30.10.