Ashwin, at the moment ranked because the primary bowler in Take a look at cricket and India’s main wicket-taker within the 2021-23 WTC cycle, was omitted as Rohit Sharma-led aspect opted to strengthen their tempo assault by fielding 4 seamers.
Hayden and Ponting expressed their disapproval of India’s determination, highlighting the absence of Ashwin as a questionable transfer.
“I really feel that Ravichandran Ashwin is such a key issue, the main wicket taker within the Checks cycle shouldn’t be there. There are a couple of elements price pondering on in Group India’s perspective,” Hayden advised ICC after the day one’s proceedings.
Within the absence of Ashwin, left-armer Ravindra Jadeja is the only spinner within the enjoying XI and he went wicketless as India struggled to interrupt the 251-run partnership between Travis Head (146 batting) and Steve Smith (95 batting).
With Head’s blistering century, his first in England, mixed with Smith’s resolute present Australia took the day one honours with 327/three on the board.
World Cup-winning captain Ponting termed Ashwin’s exclusion a “mistake”.
“Up to now for me, it seems to be prefer it was a mistake from them by enjoying the 4 seamers, however we are going to see how the sport pans out,” Ponting advised the ICC.
“As this recreation goes on, I’ve obtained little question that there’s going to be flip. Australia have gotten loads of left-handers of their batting line-up to which Ashwin would have been completely suited to,” he stated, as Ashwin is essentially the most profitable bowler in Checks in opposition to left-handers.
There was additionally debate over Rohit’s “bowl-first” determination after profitable the toss and Hayden stated the Indian skipper could have “missed a trick”.
“I really feel they could have missed a trick on the toss. Even when Pat Cummins stated he would have favored to bowled, I secretly assume Australia at all times prefer to bat first in Checks.
“I really feel like Rohit Sharma was caught into pondering that we’ll play the day reasonably than enjoying the Take a look at match.”
HEAD — ‘MODERN DAY GILCHRIST’
The day one belonged to the aggressive Head whose 146 got here from simply 156 deliveries as he counter-attacked the Indian assault because the wicket eased out.
Hayden and Ponting in contrast Head as to the teammate and legendary wicketkeeper batter Adam Gilchrist after he swung the momentum in Australia’s favour within the ‘Final Take a look at’.
“It was a classical Travis Head attacking model. One of many issues on this Championship cycle is that Head not solely scored over 1000 runs however he did at a strike fee of 80-plus,” Hayden stated
“That is actually arduous to do if you find yourself enjoying a match of such stress, and likewise you might be beneath huge stress due to the atmospheric situations. However he finds a method to get this terrific strike fee.
“He’s nearly like Adam Gilchrist was in his day, in some way capable of put a lot stress on opposition just because they have no idea the place to bowl,” Hayden added.
Gilchrist had a strike-rate of 81.95 throughout his illustrious Take a look at profession and Head is strolling down an identical path having scored at an identical clip throughout Australia’s World Take a look at Championship marketing campaign.
“He in all probability is (much like Gilchrist). In truth he’s in all probability scoring faster now than Gilly in all probability ever did,” Ponting stated.
“His strike-rate via this (World Take a look at Championship) qualification interval is 81, which is greater than anybody else on this planet to have scored greater than 500 runs.”
SHAMI AND CO ERRED IN THEIR LENGTH
Ponting additional stated India’s pacers erred with their size early in opposition to Head.
“I feel when he first is available in it is advisable execute completely to him. It’s no good making an attempt to over assault him as a result of in the event you bowl any unhealthy ball, he’s going to place it away,” Ponting famous.
“They may be taught by the way in which they bowled to him on this first innings, and they’re going to undoubtedly alter on this second innings, however generally it’s too late.”
(With inputs from PTI)
