Australians are known to give it their absolute best in order to win a game. Several Australian captains in the past have used have used innovative tactics in order to stimulate interest in the game and try to win at all costs. That is what Australian skipper Steve Smith wanted to do against West Indies in the rain-marred Test at Sydney.
Smith, on the fifth morning, had offered West Indies skipper Jason Holder to mutually declare the innings and then defend 370 off 70 overs. However, the West Indian skipper declined Smith’s offer of the declaration. “There was an approach. Unfortunately, they didn’t come to the party, I offered Holder 370 runs in 70 overs, which I thought was pretty generous,” Smith said. “It would take some good batting to get that on a day five SCG wicket but they weren’t up for the challenge, unfortunately.”
“Yeah, I spoke to Boof (Darren Lehmann) who read through the rules and said you are allowed to do that kind of thing. That was on our cards today and unfortunately, they didn’t come to the party. “We can’t control the weather. It’s been a disappointing week here in Sydney. It would have been nice to have got a bit more play in, but we can’t control that. We did everything we could this week,” Smith added.
“It would take some good batting to get that on a day five SCG wicket but they weren’t up for the challenge, unfortunately. “They would have had to declare this morning, I would have declared nought for nought and then bowled lob-ups for seven or eight overs or whatever it was, 370 off 70. I offered but they weren’t willing to take it. “We want to try and win every game we play and today was a perfect opportunity to set the game up for a good chase and for the fans who stayed out this afternoon,” Smith concluded.