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This article was first published 10 years ago

Aus captain Bailey not ready to buckle under 'challenging conditions'

October 18, 2013 13:31 IST

Image: George Bailey
Photographs: BCCI

He still hasn't recovered from the shock of the mauling in Jaipur but Australia cricket captain George Bailey backed his bowlers to make a strong comeback against the Indians in the third One-dayer in Mohali on Saturday.

India pulled off the second-highest run chase of all time to stun the tourists in the second ODI in Jaipur and tie the seven-match series 1-1.

"Personally, I like to back the group we have," the 31-year-old right-hander said.

"I want to give them chance that they can get on top of that Indian batting line-up," he added.

"Am I surprised that they got 362 in 43 overs. I am still surprised about that a couple of days later, that was a phenomenal batting performance.

Stating that he had a word with his bowlers after the loss, Bailey said, "Absolutely we spoke (after the Jaipur game) and we speak after every game whether we win or lose, we always go through and dissect and have a look at what we could do differently. This game (in Jaipur) is no different."

'Watson has put the Indian spinners on the back-foot'

Image: Shane Watson plays an off-drive
Photographs: BCCI

Bailey lauded his team's batsmen and said their performance is a massive plus.

"I certainly think we have batted quite well. I would never go as far as saying that we have got the measure of the bowlers. I think the wickets we have played on have been very, very good batting wickets and it has been challenging for the bowlers on all of those pitches.

"So it is probably more the conditions are in favour of the batsmen rather than anyone having the measure of the other one," he explained.

Talking about team strategy, Bailey said all-rounder Shane Watson would be persisted with in the number three slot.

"At the moment, it is working well for us, I don't see any reason of change. He has put the Indian spinners on the back-foot, that is really important for us," he said.

On whether he would prefer pitches that offer some help to the bowlers, Bailey said the conditions have certainly been a challenge for the Aussies.

'There is little bit of more life here than the Jaipur wicket'

Image: George Bailey
Photographs: Michael Steele/Getty Images

" (But) that is the beauty of the game, that is what makes touring India such a challenge, that's what makes India comes to Australia such a challenge for them...that's the game, it is fantastic.

"It would be boring if every wicket was the same, it would be boring if every wicket was flat, it would be boring if every wicket was the same for the spinners."

Assessing the Mohali track, Bailey said it does seem a lot more lively than the flat decks the visitors have played on so far.

"It looks like it's got a little bit of more grass on it, whether that comes off in the next 24 hours, I am not sure about that...there is little bit of more life than the Jaipur wicket.

"The ground looks like a bit bigger, but I haven't had a look at any of the past scores or anything like that, so I don't know what to expect," he said.

The skipper felt the IPL experience of some of his team's players like Watson would also come in handy.

"There are a lot of guys who have played IPL, we will dig into that over the next few hours (who know the Mohali track inside out)," he said.

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