Former Australia all-rounder Simon Katic has criticized captain Pat Cummins for keeping Australia low on pace on the first day of the second Test against India in Adelaide.
Katic put all the blame for Australia’s slow pace on Cummins as he is the captain of the team. Australia bowled just 44.1 overs in the first two sessions of the day as they bowled out India for 180.
During this innings, spinner Nathan Lyon bowled alone as there was plenty of help for the fast bowlers. While the fast bowlers combined well to break India, the lack of spinners cost Australia more.
watch: Rishabh Pant suffered a furious knock while playing in the Adelaide Test
Simon Katic hits Pat Cummins
During his commentary on SEN, Simon Katic called Australia’s poverty rate a “disgrace” and called it ridiculous. Katic further placed the blame for the slow pace on the shoulders of the team captain and even called for the skipper to be suspended as part of the strict rule.
“It will be the 22nd bowler in almost two hours of cricket. I know there were fans there, but it’s a shame. This is ridiculous. Captains are in charge; we know they are because they are the ones who are paying the fines,” Katic told 9News and SEN.
Although Australia bowled out India by just 180 runs, they took two sessions to bowl just 44.1 overs. With the World Test Championship on the line, the low pace could be a big negative for Australia as they could face a run of points.
Simon Katic wants tougher penalties for price gouging
However, Simon Katic also admitted that penalties do not work teams they still have the problem of low prices. He demanded more severe punishment like the arrest of a captain to solve this issue.
“But we know that fines don’t work because it hasn’t changed anything. It is likely to be suspended for the Test matches. And if it’s the next Test, you’re going to lose your skipper and maybe that’s how hard it is to bring it to zero because it’s not good enough,” Katic added.
While Pat Cummins was criticized for being too slow, he made a fantastic comeback with figures of 2-41 in the first innings. In the second innings as well, Pat Cummins has already taken the big wickets of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma.
Australia dominates India in Adelaide
Meanwhile, it was a great comeback from Australia after a shocking defeat in Perth. Pat Cummins and his men showed why they are such a tough team in the overnight Test.
Australia bowled out India for less than 180 in the first innings. Left hand fast Mitchell Starc achieved a brilliant six-wicket haul, while Pat Cummins and Scott Boland took two wickets each.
In reply, Australia scored 337 in their first innings on the back of a brilliant counter-century from Travis Head, who scored 140 off 141 balls. Jasprit Bumra Expected to be the pick of India’s bowlers as he finished with 4-61. Muhammad Siroch also picked up four balls.
