Only few days ago despite India chasing down 360, Australia’s
coach Steve Rixon made it clear Australia would still looking to bat first,
pile on a huge score and then defend the runs commendably. But whatever theories and strategies Rixon
discussed only couple of days ago were altered when Bailey informed his team
about the change of plans only moments before the toss.
“I asked George
10minutes before the toss I obviously thought we were batting first. He changed his mind in the last 10 minutes, I’m
sure it would have been due to the dew factor, but it didn’t really dew up as
much and fortunately it paid off” said Adam Voges.
It was a gamble considering Australia had never chased down
a total in excess of 250 in India. Add to it the placidness nature of the
wickets, along with Indian batting; there was a real chance India would post a
total around close to the 300 mark.
History was clearly not on Bailey side either. It was in 1986, the last time Australia side that
won the toss, elected to field and won the match in India.
Bailey certainly had
the backing of the man that turned the match. James Faulkner an experienced
campaigner in the IPL certain believed the dew factor will play a huge role in
Indian most Northern cricketing venue.
Faulkner said he was asked by the captain he’s preference
before the game. “I was asked by George and I said lets chase because of the
dew factor and try putting them under early pressure which we did and I thought
we bowled well at the start and we created a few chances”
Australia has India at 6/154 before what is becoming a
customary innings from Dhoni at the end propelled India over the 300 mark. It was perhaps 25 runs too many given Dhoni
was dropped by rival Bailey with 12 balls to ago. Dhoni made the most of it
scoring 32 off the next 11 balls. If the imposing total of 303 didn’t make
Bailey nervous then surely the Australian skipper would have had second
thoughts about brave decision to chase with Australia needed nearly over 12
runs an over with only four wickets in hand.
After the match Bailey would have breathe a sigh of relief thanks
to calmness of Voges and the belligerent Faulkner. Voges revealed after the match “We discussed
it constantly during the chase we wanted to take it as deep as we could and
that was our best chance”.
The pair certainly planned it perfectly with Faulkner
finally deciding in the 48th over to launch an attack on India’s
most expensive bowler in the series.
Faulkner sensed Ishant Sharma confidence was low once he has
hit the first ball to the boundary.
“Yes, you can sense it I suppose there is a fair bit of pressure doesn’t
matter who is bowling at the end and I know that from when I have bowled at the
end for Australia. I’m glad it paid off today”.
Australia’s next two games are scheduled in East India where
the dew factor becomes even more of a factor because the sun sets almost an
hour earlier than Northern or the Western India. Bailey now has the confidence of knowing
Australia is capable of executing a chase despite a late change in the usual
strategy.
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