Page 43 - The Indian EYE 061623

SPORTS JUNE 16, 2023 | The Indian Eye 43

dians being rolled over for 296 in 69.4
overs, trailing Australia by 173 runs.

Top Australian
diplomat reveals his

favourite Indian player
he Second Secretary of Trade
and Economics, Australia,
TTom Overton Clarke, named
Virat Kohli as his favourite Indian
player.
He named his favourite cricket-
er at the live screening of the World
Test Championship final between
Australia and India at the Australian
High Commission on Friday.
Speaking to ANI, Tom revealed
his favourite player from both teams,
saying, “I like David Warner, and
from the Indian team I love Virat
Kohli there can be nobody else. As
you can see everybody is watching
and enjoying cricket. India is 200
runs behind so I hope there is anoth-
er twist because everybody wants a
close encounter,” Tom said.

While has fallen behind the Fans celebrate during Day three of the test match between India and Australia in London on Friday (ANI)

Australians in the WTC final,
Tim Hall, the First Secretary, day two of the World Test Champi- “I can score big runs”: could not get the spot of no. five-six.
Political, Australian High Com- onship Final against India. He took a Jadeja So I use to bat on no. seven or some-
wicket by conceding only 29 runs with times eight,” he further added.
mission, is still not ruling them an economy of 2.64 This was Boland’s fter playing a fighting knock Australian coach Andrew Mc-
out of the contest yet. seventh Test match. of 48 at the World Test donald also praised Jadeja, he said
“I think the angles he provides AChampionship (WTC) final, “Ravi (Ravindra Jadeja) is a wonder-
and his ability to hit the stumps from all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja said that ful 3-dimensional player. He bowls
He told ANI, “Well, one lesson
I have learned from watching India slightly shorter (length) than some he has the temperament to score “big tight in the condition which is in his
of our other bowlers is a big plus. It’s
favor. With the bat he has got a lot of
runs”.
against Australia is to never assume something that I think (fellow squad After the Indian top-order col- first-class centuries and triple centu-
too much it can go either way they member Michael) Neser can do as lapsed, there was a comeback part- ries, so he is a batter in his own right.”
are such fierce competitors such well,” Smith said at a press confer- nership between Jadeja and Ajinkya Australian batter Marnus Labus-
strong rivals India might appear be- ence. Rahane on Day 2 at the Oval in Lon- chagne said that Jadeja can perform
hind at the moment you never know “I know from having faced Scotty don on Thursday. At the close of play, in any condition and has a great im-
this side there is so much resilience in the nets recently he’s bowling very India had posted 151/5 at The Oval. pact on the team.
so much spirit we saw Rahane’s in- nicely,” he added. KS Bharat (5*) and Rahane “Someone like Jadeja has the
nings it can still turn from here I am Australia’s new-ball duo of (29*) were unbeaten at the crease as ability to bat in the top 6 and be a
not prepared to call it a win for Aus- Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins con- the stumps were drawn at the end of world-class bowler. In Indian condi-
tralia just yet.” ceded 23 runs in four overs as India’s the final session. tions he is amazing but what he has
Meanwhile, on Day 3, Ajinkya
In a video posted by ICC, Jadeja
Rahane and Shardul Thakur man- openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman said, “I know that have that temper- proven in the last few years is that it
Gill made quick work of the ball. Bo-
does not matter where ever you take
aged to reignite India’s hope of mak- land was later introduced in the at- ament and ability to score big runs.” him, he creates an impact on his side,
ing a comeback in the WTC final.
tack. He also said that he is in a good and on top of that, he is brilliant on
“Shorter guys are a bit skiddi- rhythm after recovering from his inju- the field,” Labuschagne said.
Steve Smith praises on er so if there’s any seam movement ry and making a comeback. Jadeja also said that he feels
Boland’s bowling it gives the ball more of a chance to “I am in good rhythm I would say. lucky to play for India.
move and still hit the stumps, if that When I got injured, I made a come- “When it comes to India, a lot of
ustralia’s star batter Steve makes sense. The skills he (Boland) back to the team after five months. I players want to play for India and I
Smith has praised pacer Scott possesses are magnificent. He’s cer- played four games against Australia feel lucky that I am part of the final
ABoland for his bowling on the tainly a quality prospect as we’ve seen in India; I did well, I took wickets, XI.
second day of the World Test Cham- over the last couple of years now, ev- and I scored some runs,” the Indian These small things motivate me
pionship (WTC) final at the Oval on ery time he’s had his opportunity,” all-rounder said. to go out there and give my 100%...
Thursday. Smith said. “U-19 days, I use to bat on num- When I play for India, I feel like I am
Scott Boland was given a near- Boland claimed his first wicket ber four but when I made my debut, lucky to be in this place right now,”
ly-new Dukes ball soon before tea on with a delivery that defied Gill. our middle order was so strong, that I he added.

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