Ranchi: Ahead of the third Test Match, Australian Captain Steve Smith said it was 'rubbish' on home skipper Virat Kohli's part to allege that the team frequently indulges in dressing room support while calling for DRS. Addressing the pre-match press conference at the JSCA Stadium here, he said post the incidents in the Bengaluru Test he admitted his mistake which was due to ‘brain fade’.
But Virat was struck by his statement.Smith said that his partner at the wicket at that moment Peter Handscomb also apologised to Kohli post the match.He is currently enjoying cricket as he could not execute his plans but a big score from him is just round the corner.When asked whether he had any talk with Kohli and the match referee, he said that the meeting would take place tomorrow.
He said Australia and India always end up being a fiery contest as the teams are ranked No 1 and 2 respectively but ultimately cricket has to be the winner.Both the teams needed to play within the boundaries.Commenting on the pitch he said it was little bit on the dryer side.
He expected the pitch to hold together on the first day and thereafter break on.The skipper also did not accept much bounce from the wicket.“Adapting to the pitch conditions hold the key.we need to be in the game for the whole period and bat according to the wicket,” he said.
Smith also confirmed that Nathan Lyon’s finger injury has healed and he would be in the team.When asked about the departure of Mitchel Starc due to injury, he said, it would be difficult to fill in the shoes of a world class bowler but he was confident that the team had bowlers who were capable of taking 20 wickets in the match.Over the final 11, he said, a call would be taken on the match day. (UNI)
