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Former Australian opening batter Simon Katich criticised Pat Cummins for the Baggy Green’s slow over rate during Day 1’s play of the ongoing 2nd India-Australia Test in Adelaide.
Australian captain Pat Cummins. (Picture Credit: AP)
Former Australian opening batter Simon Katich was not happy with Australia’s slow over rate during the first day’s play of the ongoing second Test against India at Adelaide Oval. The Baggy Greens dismissed India for 180 runs in the first innings but were only able to bowl 44.1 overs in the first two sessions. Legendary spinner Nathan Lyon was used for just one over by Australian captain Pat Cummins in the first inning of the match.
Irked by Australia’s performance, Katich, who has donned the hat of an expert after retiring from international cricket, called for harsher penalties for captains.
During his commentary stint for SEN on Friday (December 6), Katich labelled the horrific overrate a “disgrace.”.
“This will be the 22nd over bowled in nearly two hours of cricket. I know there have been wickets, but that’s a disgrace. That’s ridiculous,” Katich said in a discussion with 9News and SEN’s Tom Morris.
According to the former left-handed batter, captains are responsible for slow over rates. Under the current rules, captains and teams are fined for slow over rates, as well as points penalties in the World Test Championship.
“Captains are responsible; we know they are, because they’re the ones that are copping fines,” Katich said. “But we know the fines aren’t working because it hasn’t changed anything. Potentially it’s going to be suspensions for Test matches.”
“And if it’s the very next Test, you’re losing your skipper, and that’s maybe how tough it has to be to get this up to scratch because it’s not good enough.”
India out for 180
After suffering a humiliating defeat by 295 runs in the series opener played at Optus Stadium in Perth last month, the Aussies made a super comeback in the second Test, which got underway at Adelaide Oval on Friday. The Baggy Greens bowled India out for just 180 runs in the first innings. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy top-scored for the Rohit Sharma-led side. The 21-year-old cricketer from Andhra faced a total of 54 deliveries during his stay at the crease and, with the help of three fours and as many sixes, scored 42 runs. He added 32 runs for the seventh wicket with R. Ashwin (22) and 35 runs for the ninth wicket with Jasprit Bumrah (0).
