IND vs AUS: The 13 numbing numbers in the Perth Test loss that make it an Ozzie Horror Show | Cricket News
Here’s the ignominy of thirteen numbers racked up the Australians that led to the Test mauling at the Optus Stadium, as highlighted Fox Cricket.
44
The total number of runs the Aussie top order – their Nos 1, 2, 3 and 4 Khawaja, McSweeney, Labuschagne and Smith crumbled for in the first Test. Brett Lee told Fox Cricket the issue was the selectors’ refusal to pick a special opener, where Steve Smith had been drafted as makeshift in last few series, and Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Sam Konstas didn’t make the cut, with Nathan McSweeney having to face a red-hot Bumrah.
24 minutes
The duration that Usman Khawaja and McSweeney needed to last through on Day 3 to stay in the contest, and failed. Debate has swirled over whether Khawaja should have volunteered to take strike first (he famously dislikes it). Michael Vaughan told Fox the senior pro ought to have, David Warner believed Uzzy would’ve asked, but told the rookie that he would take responsibility, while Shastri believed the coach should’ve taken the call. “If you go and ask that young kid, if he says ‘I don’t want to take strike’, word would go around he’s soft.Don’t give him that opportunity.”
3
Number of run-out chances missed in the second innings from square fielders, with Jaiswal, who went on to score 161, benefitting.
38
Usman Khawaja’s age that will be predictably attacked given he dropped two catches in the field. The second was an absolute sitter, and though he redeemed snaring Nitish Kumar Reddy moments later, former players won’t let go of the chance to scapegoat his age.
15
Number of no-balls bowled as the Aussie bowlers came undone and overstepped the popping crease. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh delivered nine of those, but the man likely to cop most flak will be part-time spinner Marnus Labuschagne who erred despite a short run-up. His batting prompted calls to pack him off to Grade cricket, his lackluster bowling just drove the former Internationals up the wall.
22
The number of es wicket keeper Alex Carey conceded in the second innings, making him look not too sharp. It’s the highest es he’s let in, in his Test career. Josh Hazlewood bowling with the second new ball had his radar go all over, butbit was when keeping to Nathan Lyon that Carey ran up that notorious number of 22 most.
55
The number of extras Australia sprayed just in the second innings. There’s a Test match from 2009 against South Africa when Australia leaked 62 extras at Cape Town. But at Perth, it was the second-worst.
8
Travis Head’s defiant knock of 89 off 101 balls had 8 counter attacking boundaries. So far, so fine. What’s damning about that number is that those 8 fours were more than his entire team combined.
31.68
The milestone that Virat Kohli carried, his batting average over the previous 34 Tests, which had just two centuries in 60 outings. Fox Cricket noted: “Australians have allowed Kohli to find his feet and rediscover his form with four matches left to play – and the next Test is at Adelaide Oval, where he averages 63.62. They had awoken Kohli from his batting slumber, an ominous sign of things to come.”
29
The number of runs Australia’s first four (including Pat Cummins as night watcher in 2nd innings) collectively contributed across the match, the lowest figure in the nation’s Test hory. This included 2 ducks, and 7 of the 8 scores were in single digits.
52 deliveries
Marnus Labuschagne’s Day 1 knock lasted painful, torturous 52 balls, as Jasprit Bumrah and Md Siraj pinned him and literally scotchtaped his scoring. He got a measly 2 runs out of that miserable stay.
3
Steve Smith has been dismissed LBW in three successive knocks, including the first innings where Bumrah had him plumb. Fox reported he made a minor technical adjustment in the second innings, editing out the shuffle across the pitch. He made 17 but ended up edging back to Rishabh Pant.
4.27
Mitchell Starc bowled a probing 11 overs in the first innings, at an impressive economy of 1.27 with 2 wickets. However in the starless sign of things going downhill for Australia, the left-armed quick was taken apart the Indians as he went for a Nelson 111 off 26 overs with sole KL Rahul wicket. He was guilty of bowling too short, and allowing Indians to pummel the Aussies for too long.