Smith and Marnus have had mixed success in the last two Tests. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have caused plenty of trouble for the Australia. McGrath spoke to reporters in India and said the Australian batting line-up must do better if they want to challenge India. He also said the Aussies must find a balance between two extremes of their approach, seen in Nagpur and Delhi.
“I think they’re relying too much on Smith and Marnus at the moment. Travis Head has had a really good year as well. The whole batting line-up has to stand up. I think they haven’t settled on a game plan on how to play spin in India that they are confident with and can execute. In the first Test, they were too defensive, and in the second Test, they were too aggressive. So we will see if they’ve learned from those two matches.”
“They are the ones causing problems for Australia” – Glenn McGrath on India’s tailenders
Glen McGrath noted that India’s lower-order batsmen had been a continual problem for Australia, questioning whether the tourists made the right bowling decisions. He said it would have been better for Australia if they had avoided being swept in the series.
“They haven’t been able to come and clean up the tail. The last three batters have put on 160-plus. They are the ones causing problems. Whether they got the bowling changes right? Maybe Pat Cummins could have come in earlier. Australia has a long way to turn things around. If they leave the shores with the scoreline not being 4-0, I think they would have done well.”
Smith will lead the visitors in Indore in the absence of their regular captain due to family illness.
