Thaindian News

Sydney, Dec.9 (ANI): Australia has plenty of headaches going into the Perth Test with the West Indies, feels noted columnist Peter Roebuck.

According to Roebuck, Ponting’s captaincy in the Adelaide Test lacked aggression and added that Australia could also be faulted for pushing its field back early on the fourth day, allowing Gayle to collect singles.

“Australia played a waiting game. It did not work,” Roebuck says in his syndicated column for the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Injuries have been hindering Australia, and Simon Katich’s wonky back is merely the latest handicap. The middle order batting lacked authority because both left-handers were scratchy. Neither spinner took a second innings wicket, or looked likely to do so,” Roebuck adds.

Accepting that this comment could seem harsh in the wake of the Gabba win, Roebuck, however, says Australia has lost three of its past five series and complacency is not appropriate or an option.

West Indies, he says, on the other hand, can take considerable pride from their performance in Adelaide.

“A draw is a draw is a draw… All things considered, though, it was an impressive effort from a beleaguered visiting team playing not only for its reputation but its existence,” he says.

“West Indies may eventually look back on this match as a missed opportunity. A more confident side might have pressed harder. Mostly they were thwarted because their leading bowlers took no wickets,” he says.

In hindsight, Chris Gayle may conclude that he could have declared his innings 10 minutes before it reached its natural conclusion. All those humiliations away from home persuaded him to delay.

“West Indies surpassed themselves. Crushed in Brisbane, the visitors gave their opponents a severe scare. Throughout the denouement, Gayle was able to place almost his entire side in catching positions. No one saw that coming,” Roebuck says.

“Now the visitors need to tap into the same spirit in Perth,” he concludes. (ANI)