Travis Head dropped for Matthew Renshaw, rating at stumps, Rohit Sharma, Todd Murphy wicket
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Former captain Michael Clarke has joined the rising refrain of criticism geared toward Australia’s selectors, over an enormous choice gamble for the opening Check in opposition to India
Travis Head, the quantity 4 ranked batter on this planet, averaged a tick over 50 in Check cricket in 2022.
That call was then made to look terrible because the South Australian’s substitute at No.5 within the batting order, Matthew Renshaw, was despatched packing for a golden duck.
AS IT HAPPENED: First Check, day one
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“I am unable to get my head round why the selectors dropped Travis Head and picked Matt Renshaw,” Clarke mentioned on Sky Sports activities Radio’s The Large Sports activities Breakfast.
“I may perceive them going Peter Handscomb at quantity six in entrance of Renshaw, being a proper hander. Handscomb performs spin fairly nicely, so I can perceive that choice.
“Travis Head bowls, his bowling in India could be very helpful. I am so confused and bewildered by that call.
“If you are going to try this, in the event you’re really not going to choose him for the primary Check match when he is the fourth finest batter on this planet, what’s he doing on the tour?”
After Australia was skittled for 177 in 63 overs, India reached stumps on the primary day at 1-77.
Captain Rohit Sharma (56 from 69) and nightwatchman Ravichandran Ashwin will resume within the center on day two, after Australian debutant Todd Murphy eliminated KL Rahul to seize his maiden Check wicket.
Head pounded 525 runs on the common of 87.5 in opposition to the West Indies and South Africa over the Australian summer time, however has struggled mightily on the subcontinent, averaging simply 21.3 throughout seven Exams.
Regardless of Head’s subcontinent failures, Australian nice Matthew Hayden was amongst these surprised by Head’s omission, with the legendary opener admitting he was left “speechless” on the toss.
“I am unable to consider it. For me, he was the participant of the summer time,” Hayden mentioned on Fox Cricket’s protection.
“Completely totally different circumstances to Brisbane, I do know, however his 90 there was so good. He made it look flat though it wasn’t. It was a raging green-top.”
Hayden was removed from the one Australian Check legend surprised by the decision, with ex-captain Steve Waugh equally bemused.
”Laborious to consider we will drop the No.4-ranked Check batsman on this planet and doubtless our greatest batsman within the final 12 months, plus he bowls higher than common off spin. Let’s wait and see – perhaps the Aussie selectors are genius’s!” Waugh wrote on Instagram.
Australia was pegged again within the first session after successful the toss and electing to bat first, shedding each Usman Khawaja and David Warner for 1 within the opening two overs.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne briefly launched into a rebuild mission, earlier than Head’s absence was made much more obtrusive when Ravindra Jadeja sparked a middle-order collapse within the second session.
Labuschagne was dismissed for 49 and Smith 37, and whereas Peter Handscomb (31) and Alex Carey (36) mixed for a wholesome partnership, one other clump of wickets tumbled as Jadeja completed with a five-for.
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