- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Indian opener Murali Vijay added insult to injury for Australia on Wednesday, chiding the home side’s bowlers for “sulking” during a brutal opening day in the second Test.
Vijay scored a century at the Gabba, powering India to a total of 4-311 by stumps.
It was a tough day in more ways then one for the Australian quicks with Mitch Marsh (hamstring), Mitchell Starc (back and ribs) and debutant Josh Hazlewood (cramps) all leaving the park in pain on a stifling Brisbane summer day.
Marsh won’t bowl on day two, but Hazlewood and Starc might be back.
“Today was really, really hot and was testing us all … I could see a lot of bowlers sulking out there because it was really hot,” Vijay said, having backed up MS Dhoni’s decision to bat first.
“Mentally, you’re drained.”
Vijay’s words will add further fuel to spot fires that started at Adelaide Oval last week, when David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli were all fined for their roles in heated clashes.
Australia coach Darren Lehman was unaware of Vijay’s comments but rebuked Shane Warne for calling Starc’s body language “soft” during commentary for Network Nine.
“I will take it up with Shane,” Lehmann said.
Lehmann offered no excuses for the way India took control of the game, but was stunned by a truly exceptional day of cricket.
“I haven’t experienced that as a coach or seen it as a player,” Lehmann said of the attrition.
“Hopefully it doesn’t happen again.
“The revolving door … we didn’t know who was out on the field.
“We had (spin coach) John Davison in his whites.
“Obviously it was very hot (and there were injuries) … but they’re excuses, we’re better than that.”
Vijay’s 144 gave India the perfect platform to have a serious tilt at squaring the series 1-1.
The opener was dropped on 36 and 102 – both times by Shaun Marsh off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson, who managed 15 overs.
Even Johnson was cooked after a long day in the field.
“He’s ok. He’s generally sore. He’ll bowl,” team physio Alex Kountouris said of Johnson.
Mitch Marsh tweaked his hamstring while bowling the second over after lunch and didn’t return to the field.
Hazlewood failed to complete his first over with the second new ball.
“He was cramping everywhere. Both calves, both hamstrings, groins, hips. He just couldn’t just function,” Kountouris said.
Starc was clearly distressed by the heat during the second-session drinks break, leaving the park alongside team doctor Peter Brukner.
“His back was sore and he was getting some rib pain. It’s not a side strain and we don’t think it’s anything that will stop him bowling,” Kountouris said.
Vijay, who batted for five and a half hours, cramped late in his innings and reined in the running between the wickets.
He eventually fell charging Nathan Lyon, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin snaffling an edge and also having enough time to take off the bails.
The damage had been done.
It was the equal highest Test score at the venue by an Indian.
Vijay became the 10th foreign opener to face 200 balls or more in an innings at the Gabba.
The high humidity led in part to a change of ball in the ninth over, with the original Kookaburra soggy with sweat and already out of shape.
Ajinkya Rahane finished 75 not out, with Rohit Sharma on 26.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.