Former Australia Captain Michael Clarke was not happy with Usman Khawaja for not taking responsibility and not using his experience to protect debutant Nathan McSweeney during Australia’s second innings in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Optus Stadium in Perth. Usman Khawaja, who is the senior player, began from the non-striker’s end, leaving McSweeney to face the new ball against the lethal Jasprit Bumrah.
Australia faced a tricky 30 minutes before the end of Day 3 after India declared at 487-6 in their second innings. With a huge target to chase and a fresh, fired-up Indian pace attack waiting, the last thing Australia needed was to lose wickets before stumps on Day 3. Australia now needs to go back to the drawing board and find a way to get big runs on board to defeat India in 2nd Test match starting from 5th December at Adelaide.
A lot of people don’t like taking the first ball- Michael Clarke’s take on Usman Khawaja refusing to take strike in 2nd innings
Nathan McSweeney who had scored just 10 runs in Australia’s first innings departed for a duck in the second innings, Indian Skipper Jasprit Bumrah got the better of him in both innings trapping him in front of the stumps in two innings. Chasing 534 runs Australia was reduced to 0-1 which set up the tone nicely for an Indian victory. Michael Clarke believed that despite the rotation policy in place on who takes the strike, Usman Khawaja, with his experience, should have stepped up and protected the debutant.
“A lot of people don’t like taking first ball, so the opening batters rotate. Khawaja took the first ball in the first innings and now they’re saying it’s McSweeney (for the second innings). But I think Uzzie should have said, ‘youngster, get down the other end, even though we’re going to rotate, even though I don’t like taking it, it’s my time’. (He should have said) ‘I’m a senior player. I’m 38 years of age in a week’s time. Listen here, youngster, I know you want to do it (but) get down there. It’s my turn’. I think Uzzie should have owned that moment,” Michael Clarke told Sky Sports’ Big Sports Breakfast.
Khawaja could not do much as he ballooned a ball up in the second over of Day 4 for just 4 runs.
Our intent, our energy all looked a bit flat for the first Test of the summer– Michael Clarke
After disappointing first innings from both teams, many expected an early finish to the series opener. However, the pitch improved on Day 2, allowing India to take control and put pressure on the Australian bowlers, extending their lead. Led by centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, along with a strong 201-run opening partnership, India set a daunting total. Meanwhile, Australia fell apart in the chase. Michael Clarke raised concerns about the hosts not showing any intent in the field. Clarke said in the same interaction,
“It was like we just expected to knock India over again for not many – there was no intent. They were right in our faces but I didn’t see any of our bowlers give it to any (India) batsmen. Our intent, our energy…it all looked a bit flat for the first Test of the summer,”
Australia went on to lose the test match by 295 runs. It could’ve been much worse for Australia but counter-attacking knocks from Travis Head and Mithcell Marsh saved some respect for the hosts.