Wicketkeeper Alex Carey has brushed off stinging criticism from Allan Border after the cricket legend pleaded for Australia to “play with a harder edge” in India.
Border – after whom the trophy Australia and India battle for is partly named – teed off at Pat Cummins’ team following their nightmare innings and 132-run defeat to the hosts in the first Test in Nagpur.
The former Australia captain took exception to some of the tourists smiling and Steve Smith giving thumbs up to Indian players amid a historic capitulation on Saturday.
“Play with a harder edge. I mean, we’re giving blokes the thumbs up when they’re beating us outside the off stump,” Border told Fox Cricket.
“What the hell is going on? That is just ridiculous.
“Don’t go stupid, but Australia play hard-nose cricket.”
Carey said the team “highly” respected Border but defended Smith’s actions.
(Photo by Matt Roberts – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images/Getty Images)
“He’s (Border) played many games of cricket over here and he’s a fantastic leader for Australia,” the 31-year-old said.
“I guess amongst the group guys do it differently. “He (Smith) plays around with his hands and does all that stuff and I think that’s probably what gets him pretty focused.
“They’re obviously strong comments (from Border), but as a group, we believe in what we’re doing and come the second Test, we’re ready to go.”
Australia are confident they can bounce back in the spin-friendly conditions, despite never having won a four-Test series after going down 1-0.
The second match will take place at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium, starting on Friday, a venue where India have not lost a Test since 1987.
Australia are sticking with the plan they brought to the subcontinent, taking confidence out of last year’s tour of Pakistan when they secured a 1-0 win in the final session of the series.
“It is the first Test of four and we’re still very positive amongst ourselves that we’ll be able to bounce back in Delhi and get this series back level and continue to believe in what we’ve done over the past 12 to 18 months,” Carey said.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t go to plan this first Test, but we’re definitely reinforcing the messages we’ve had leading into the tour and going into the next Test.”
Australia coach Andrew McDonald said Queensland left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann was a “live chance” to play after being called into the squad.
The tourists will consider playing Kuhnemann with Murphy and star veteran Nathan Lyon only if allrounder Cameron Green (finger) is available to return from injury.
Green has been ramping up his bowling at training and is looking more comfortable batting in the nets, but is no certainty to be available for the second Test.
Star quick Mitchell Starc is considered a more likely starter after arriving in the Indian capital on Sunday, having recovering from the broken finger he suffered in the Boxing Day Test.
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
"I never applaud or acknowledge an opponent's good shot" Bjorn Borg
Marty
Roar Rookie
Fair enough Barb.
Jb
Guest
This is literally the dumbest thing I've read
Trusty dusty
Guest
Some truth there. AB probably sees Smith and doesn't understand the thumbs up Smith is eccentric and weird at the best of times, to border, he comes off as a Millennial soft clown. Credit to border for calling it out though, we need legends to speak up when something is off
Trusty dusty
Guest
What do these softies care? Win or get absolutely embarrassed, they only want to eat delicious Indian food and lounge around 6 star hotels with servants waiting at their door. Geez these guys are embarrassing. I said it on another post, but I'd have forfeited my match fee for such a sorry display. In the real world, people lose their jobs if they don't produce, these kids are spoiled. The Indian players are worshipped as heroes, but every one of them knows if they don't perform the are literally a thousand well qualified young guys waiting outside their door asking the coach for their chance. The Aussie players are too precious and soft. AB was correct. It says a lot of society where you stand on this issue
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You might like to read your posts; you'll work it out.
Richie
Roar Rookie
You’ve lost me Don. I’m sure you have bigger problems than me.
Frankly I am with AB. Life is too short and it’s only a game. If you are going to get upset that an oppostion player tells you he was with your wife last night in order to put you off your game…with a few expletives thrown in for sure – then you have bigger problems. Life is short, life is tough – it’s just a game and it is entertainment after all. It is the same thing with Origin. Origin is Origin because of the huge dust ups…we all loved them, women especially…yes they did. Now you can’t even have a dust up on the field. Cricket and other sports have become all the poorer because of this clean image — I am a Kiwi and I cannot stand that silly rubbish McCullum brought in when he was Captain about no more sledging. I loved it when Warner called them out “I don’t buy the nice guy act”. It’s entertainment – let them have a crack at each other.
Ace
Roar Rookie
I guess one could call me a fanatic as well.. I started to get interested in the 1950s ..so that gives something away. But just imagine the series I've read about or watched I mostly played second grade before switching to squash Cleaning bills were far cheaper :silly: :silly: :silly:
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Yep, you commented to argue. There was nothing well- intended about that comment.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And I'm an obsessed fanatic.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I went an got dental work done there. I was there for 2 weeks and 3 weeks. I just went down to the dusty pitches. I was invited in to play. I was sometimes there for 5 hours. Great experience. I bought the guys l played with 2 bats, stumps and a dozen balls. They had no money but they insisted on feeding me. I didn't get sick. I've played cricket just regional town stuff amongst other sports.
Richie
Roar Rookie
I merely thought the cricketers would do well to just listen. Nothing inane bout that fellow roarer. I don’t comment to argue, just discuss. If you want to argue, do it with those close to you.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Well, I take notice of what you tell me Rowdy :silly: Actually, do you mind telling me something about yourself..without divulging too much Did you not say once that you had been to India for cricket? Or do I imagine that. Was there something about the stadiums there? Were you a cricketer ? Because I respect your knowledge and enjoy your posts
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Oh yes …Borrowed a 9mm from a security guard . He had been having a heated on field tussle with Alan Border right through the game at that point . Decided to sort it out ..Its in Shane Warnes autobiography . Did take the bullets out . In McMillans own words Hansie Cronje tried to stop him but Kepler Wessells urged him on . The Aussie change room cleared in seconds . Can’t fault them for that . Border sat paralysed in the corner for once , maybe first time ever at a loss for words . Ended with a round of beers .
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
Cummins is an excellent captain and bowler. Western Australians are very good at cricket. Thoughts?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You regularly snarl and grump. Very rare to read a cricket comment.
Reid
Guest
AB is just one of those old blokes who thinks their opinion is the only correct one & won’t even consider anyone else’s. The type of bloke you can’t help but roll your eyes at when he starts to talk
Barb Dwyer
Roar Rookie
Wrong x 2. I regularly talk about sport. But thanks for clarifying the 'besides you.'
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
About what? You being interested in Nics arguing? You never talk about sport so you don't count. No one, besides you, cares at all about that silliness.