A bit of aggressive banter goes a long way and it helped Australia rattle India’s batsmen on day two of the fourth Test in Delhi, Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon says.
India have dominated the series and are still in a strong position to push for a four-nil sweep.
However they were made to fight awfully hard for a first-innings advantage on Saturday, reaching 8-266 at stumps in reply to Australia’s 262.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar will resume on Sunday on 10 with only Pragyan Ojha and Ishant Sharma for company after Lyon claimed 5-94 including the wicket of Ravi Ashwin lbw from the last ball of the day’s play.
Five long years after the Monkeygate scandal of the 2008 Sydney Test, tensions between the two sides exploded in the 51st over on Saturday. India batsman and captain MS Dhoni appeared to be warned by the umpire for running down the pitch.
Australia fielder David Warner became involved in a verbal spat with Dhoni and reports suggested Warner had been warned by the umpires, although an Australia team spokesman said he was unaware of any action taken against the fiery opener.
Warner’s captain Shane Watson stepped in to have a word with his player. Watson also spoke to Dhoni as both captains attempted to calm the situation.
It’s understood Warner gave Ravindra Jadeja a spray for taking a drinks break during the over, which led Jadeja to complain the umpires about Warner’s tactics.
“We do wish that we did do it earlier,” Lyon said of Australia’s sledging tactics.
“That’s a way that Australia plays its best cricket, when we’re putting the contest to the opposition.
“And no matter who the opposition is, I think it works well.”
Dhoni was out two overs after the incident for 24 at 6-210 but India fought back with a 44-run partnership between Jadeja (43) and Ashwin (12).
“Yeah there was definitely a lead-up (to Dhoni’s dismissal),” Lyon said.
“We need to have that aggression. We need to get in the contest and that led to every wicket that fell out there.
“That was how it was with the conflict that went out there in the middle. The aggression that was going on, Dhoni fell away to Patto.”
Dhoni’s pull shot landed in the safe hands of Watson at mid-wicket off the bowling of James Pattinson in a key blow.
Australia had resumed on 8-231 and were bowled out for 262 including tailender Peter Siddle’s career-best 51.
Offspinner Ravi Ashwin claimed 5-57, giving him 27 wickets for the series in a dominant performance.
India raced to 0-59 at lunch off 14 overs. Murali Vijay (57) and Cheteshwar Pujara (52) completed half-centuries after lunch, adding 108 for the first wicket.
However Australia’s aggression paid dividends as India lost 6-102 in a collapse before Jadeja and Ashwin made sure the home side’s tail wagged, just as Siddle and Pattinson (30) had done for Australia with a 54-run partnership for the ninth wicket.
Davey Dave
Guest
Dude 13 of the 17 blokes over there hadn't even played in India before and one Aussie side had won there in 40 years, what did you expect? Us to win 4zip? cowan starc hughes smith maxwell(not his batting) siddle lyon wade all improved a fair bit. Unfortunately Johnson was awful in his only game, warner didn't really improve much along with patto but will still be in the side when go back to the sub-continent in a couple of years time, they're our future and will be better off. Watson was poor and the rest of the lads i havn't mentioned probly won't even be back there again. But next time we're in the sub-continenent we'll have a lot more developed ashton agar,adam zampa cameroen boyce fawad alarm michael beer and john holland who were all not really fit or good enough to tour just yet. The spin worries are i think a bit of false perception in australia, in a few years we will have some cracking spinners and will be a lot better off in the sub-continent for it. Imagine if we had alarm agar or zampa with 3 years under there belt over there instead of doherty?.We'd actually have a chance of taking 20. If we can make sure our batsmen improve from this series (a couple did a couple didn't ) and gradually grow there games to accomodate spin we may do alright next time around
Mr Toad
Guest
Hear, Hear!! Siddle might not be our most naturally gifted player, but there's never any doubt about his commitment - unlike the over-hyped and over-priced charlatans and narcissists in the top 6.
Bayman
Guest
The Aussies might be 'angry' but I wonder if they're as angry as most supporters after yet another second innings submission. Siddle made a pair of fifties which should have embarrassed the top order - times two. Mind you, after Henriques in the first Test, and Starc's 99 and Pattinson's handy 30s I imagine the top order is pretty much immune to embarrassment by now. Probably just as well with England coming up. And if someone says, "That's just the way they play", I'll bloody scream. Personally, I'd prefer pride, guts, character, not to mention a little common sense. I repeat, Siddle made fifty twice - for no other reason than he values his wicket and has a competitive spirit. More power to him.
JMW
Guest
Funny mate! I always thought he looked like a frazzled bookkeeper too! Good luck to him though for his first innings bowling even if it was three tests overdue.
matt h
Guest
Poor old Nathan looks like a bookkeeper. He is the least intimidating cricketer I've seen since Ian Bell.
matt h
Guest
That is a little over the top. The boy does not average 60. He averages just over 40 in first class cricket and has less centuries than Hughes. He averages 29 in tests off limited opportunities. He has been hard done by but he is not the messiah and this trolling is becoming ridiculous. Ask Stuart Law, Jamie Siddons, Martin Love, Jamie Cox and Brad Hodge if this is the most unjust treatment in modern era sports. Laughable.
matt h
Guest
That boy has a lot of maturing to do.
nachos supreme
Guest
memo to D.Warner :When your sides being flogged and you've scored next to no runs personally, you're best to keep the chat to yourself.
bilo
Guest
You don't agree taking wickets and scoring runs is the way to go Brendon? So instead, sledging is the go. How did that work out for Australia? Warner was the main one to go the verbal in this test (on and off the field) and he contributed scores of 0 and 8. But he gave em a mouthful!
Kaushik
Roar Rookie
Does this Aussie side really look second-best in the world? "There is some hope for aussie cricket afterall" - Yes, if you are counting Aus vs Eng as the only proper form of cricket. Otherwise, this team will struggle to hold any series in the sub-continent.
Kaushik
Roar Rookie
An angry Lyon looks rather like a frazzled werewolf who's past is prime. He should stick to bowling well and leave these antics to others who can carry it off. On that topic, David Warner should shut up until he can put up some strong performances. Strong sledging does not substitute for good batting.
bozo
Guest
"Sticks and stones...but names will ever hurt me". Another loss within 4 days should hurt a lot but I suspect they are happy about the name calling!
Jaggers
Guest
The empty tin rattles the most I'm afraid. It's hard to imagine that the "sledging" is nothing but unimaginative and aggressive abuse. Hardly something worth encouraging or celebrating.
Brendon
Guest
I don't agree with that, if the opposition is doing something you don't like, then tell them, if you hadn't noticed we're now in the most competitive position we've been in on this tour so far, and I can say absolutely that the "sledging" as people call it contributed to that, in other words it served It's purpose. I find it amusing that the PC police come out of hiding straight away in what was hardly a massive altercation, It's no where near Miandad vs Lillee now is it? It's one of the best things about sport, if it doesn't come off you look like a dill, but that's the risk you take when you shoot you're mouth off, when it works then great, of course there is a line, but it wasn't crossed yesterday, no one was hurt, and it clearly came from both sides, so what's the problem?
Disco
Roar Guru
England have been below par in NZ but do you expect them to struggle at home against the combination of, say, Clarke, Siddle, Pattinson and Harris, alongside 7 average players coached by Uncle Arthur?
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Absolutely right Csk I don't know what the Aussie team is playing at but it seems to me consistent with a long line of stupidity this dead-end road they are on
Pradeep
Guest
I agree, it is unjust but in saying that I am enjoy this game now that it's even
TedS
Guest
Thats because its only the most unjust treatment of a player in modern era sports.
ryan
Guest
It will actually catapult AUS to number 2 believe it or not. Whoever wins the test on Delhi goes to no.2. If england win they go to number 2 and push us down one, but its looking unlikely. Remarkable to think we can still be the second best side in the world.And for all the fuss of us not being able to win in India, well england havn't been able to win in NZ. There is some hope for aussie cricket afterall, and the ashes
ryan
Guest
also + 100