http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in buoyant mood ahead of 1st Test
After losing the 1st Test match in a close and fashionable way, the Australian camp is upbeat ahead of their 2nd and final Test against India. The visitors returned to the training in Bangalore hoping to amend their deficiencies as they prepare for the finale
in India ahead of their much-awaited Ashes in Australia.
Michael Hussey, who was part of the incredible Test match at Mohali stated that it was difficult for him and his team-mates to get over the disappointment of the 1st Test defeat. He said: “We were part of something special, but we are disappointed with the
result. We have played some amazing Tests over the years, but being on the winning side makes a h**l of a difference. In Adelaide against England, we were on the winning side and it was an amazing feeling.”
The Australian team was however, praised throughout the cricket world for giving a resilience performance. But, Hussey said that despite being proud of their performance on the 5th day, the atmosphere in the dressing room was quite. He added that the Australian
team has yet to discuss the events of Mohali in a team meeting. Hussey believes that they have learned many positives from Mohali which will help them later in the tour.
Nevertheless, while keeping their past record in account, the visitors are expected to be in good spirit and would be waiting to take India head-on once again. According to Hussey, they had some exceptional nets session but it was mandatory for every player
to attend. As a matter of fact, Shane http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326, Simon Katich, Peter George and the fast bowlers who played the Mohali Test didn’t come to the practise and took the day off.
Commenting on it, the left-handed Australian batsman said: “The mood was pretty buoyant at the training. The boys are in good spirits. Some of the guys, particularly the fast bowlers, are trying to recover as best as they can because it was a gruelling Test
match. After a tough match in Mohali, the focus is on recovery but we have to keep our skills in good shape as well.”
Meanwhile, Doug Bollinger's participation in the second Test is doubtful as he has been suffering from abdominal pain. Bollinger has been steering the Australian bowling attack for at least last 8 months in the absence of stalwarts, Brett Lee and Peter Siddle.
He was also instrumental in Australia’s triumph over http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 at the start of the year.
Hussey said of Bollinger’s injury: “He went for a scan yesterday. I believe it is just a minor strain. We are hopeful that he is going to be okay. But he'll have to bowl tomorrow and we'll see how he pulls up on the morning of the match. If he doesn't, then
we have three other young guys who would love to have the opportunity.”
If Bollinger fails to get fit on time then he will be replaced by either http://www.senore.com/Cricket/James-Pattinson-c1653 or Mitchell Starc. Pattinson and Starc both have been practising in the net and are more than willing to get into the Australian Test team.
Australia would be going into the 2nd Test match with a bit of changed approach especially towards the spin. Earlier, the Australian batsmen failed to understand the wizardry of Indian spinners in Mohali which eventually cost them the match. Therefore, the
Australians would be intending to work on a strategy to tackle spin in the current practise session.
“We could have been more positive in the first innings but they bowled really well,” Hussey maintained. “In the last session, [on the first day] we could have been more positive and taken a couple of more risks.” On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 is sweating on the
fitness of its Mohali hero, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772. Laxman had to suffer back spasms in his match winning 73 on the 5th day of the enthralling 1st Test.
He hasn't yet fully recovered from his injury. Doctors have advised him to take rest and skip the second Test. In case of his exclusion, Cheteshwar Pujara is most likely to make his debut. This isn't the first time that India has suffered due to injuries
as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gautam-Gambhir-c58623 are already out due to their respective injuries.
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