Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine has praised Australia’s senior players for advancing to the Adelaide Test after the defeat in Perth.
Although Australia lost the first Test in Perth by 295 runs, they won by 10 wickets in Adelaide. The third Test between Australia and India starts on Saturday at the Gabba in Brisbane.
“A bit of a relief I thought, of course,” Pine told Sean Breakfast.
“We talked a few days ago about the pressure on them and the reaction people want to see.
“It’s a tough team at times, but they’re one of the best teams.
Australian captain Pat Cummins, center without cap, celebrates with teammates after dismissing India’s KL Rahul during the second day of the second cricket Test match between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (AP Photo/James Elsby)
“They have won everything except the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and they know, they have spoken about it, this is what they want to sustain.
“I thought the way they responded under a lot of pressure was great, although in pink-ball Tests where we have a great record and India don’t see it as much.
“When the big boys stood up I thought especially the captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc – the pink ball wizard, Travis Head was amazing and Marnus I thought was really lovely.”
Paine praised the way Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney battled through the twilight in the first innings.
Paine said, ‘I thought the last session of the first day was the best performance of Test cricket.
“You’ve got an absolute champion running full steam under the lights with a pink ball.
On the first day of the first cricket test between India and Australia in Perth, Australia, Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne dodged a short ball from Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah. (AP)
“You’ve got one of our absolute champions who averages 60=plus at times fighting to save his career and you’ve got a kid trying to establish himself in his second Test.
“I thought both of those guys were great for different reasons. That’s as good as professional sports can be when you have players that fight so well.
“It doesn’t get any better than that… it doesn’t get any harder.
“For Marnus and Nathan McSweeney to be able to reach different points in their careers … that put Australia so far ahead of that Test match.”