Steve Smith addressing the press conference
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Smith said that the Indian bowling attack is good despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and added that their batsmen will have to play well against them.
Team India will face Australia in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) starting on Wednesday at The Oval. Rohit Sharma and his boys began their first training session on Sunday morning under the supervision of head coach Rahul Dravid. India will be looking for a second shot at the title in 2021 after their unsuccessful campaign. Also, the management will be faced with a selection conundrum as they face the mighty Aussies in London.
What will be India’s pace attack for the big face-off? Will they play Ashwin and Jadeja together? All these questions are burning in the minds of fans and experts. Ahead of the marquee clash, Australia vice-captain Steve Smith has heaped praise on the Indian bowling unit.
Read this also | Exclusive: 2024 T20 WC likely to shift from West Indies and USA
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Smith said that the Indian bowling attack is good despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and added that their batsmen will have to play well against them.
With Shami and Siraj perhaps their two mainstays, they have a good mix of quality seam bowlers. He has got really good skills and the Dukes ball will suit him well. And then obviously their spinners, who bowled well in all conditions. So I think their attack is good and we have to play well against them this week.
With fast bowler Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the WTC final due to his ongoing left Achilles and left hamstring issue, Australia have to decide between Scott Boland and Michael Neser in their playing XI.
Smith feels that Neser has all the skills to make a big impact if selected in the playing XI. Neser has so far scored 311 runs and taken 19 wickets in the ongoing County Championship with Glamorgan, with scores of 123, 86 and 90.
“(I’ve got) so much confidence, he’s a quality performer. I faced him against (county team) Glamorgan a few weeks ago and he bowled well. He’s got great skills and has added some inswingers, we’ve got him Seen when the wicket is a bit flat.
“So, he has got a lot of skill and he is batting well too, so he is a great package. If he gets a chance, he will definitely do a good job.
Read this also | India’s road to WTC final: 5 captains in 6 series as Asian Giants battle odds to earn another shot at the title
On the other hand, Boland’s pace, control and probing length would make him a threat on England pitches. But he has played only one Test away from home against India in Nagpur earlier this year and is yet to pick up a wicket away from home in this format.
“I think Scottie does pretty well what we’ll get. He hits a good length, hits it over the stumps, seams the ball around, swings it if he wants to and his Has got excellent skills as well.There is no doubt that he will be a challenge if he is cleared.
