During the second day of the Brisbane Test, Simon Katich delivered a scathing critique of Mohammed Siraj’s bowling strategy, revealing tactical shortcomings in India’s approach. Following a rain-interrupted first day, Australia’s batting lineup came up with a remarkable resilience despite losing openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney early. At the heart of the matter was obviously Travis Head, who continued his love affair against India.
Simon Katich lambasts Siraj’s “dumb” bowling
Katich was particularly critical of Siraj’s short-ball tactics against Travis Head. While Head is known to be not that comfortable against short-pitched deliveries, Indian bowlers had a half-hearted attempt. In a pointed commentary, he emphasised the strategic error of bowling a bouncer without a fielder positioned at third man. “This is remarkably poor cricket,” Katich remarked, suggesting that Siraj’s approach was tactically unsound and opportunistic.
Captain Rohit Sharma’s bowling arrangements appeared disjointed. After Marnus Labuschagne’s dismissal while attempting an ambitious cover drive, India’s bowling attack seemed increasingly fragmented and ineffective. Travis Head and Steve Smith capitalized on this vulnerability, constructing a match-changing partnership of 241 runs.
Head continued his impressive form from previous matches, batting with characteristic fluency. Smith, who had struggled earlier in the series, displayed a refined technique that yielded his 33rd century for Australia, the second-most after Ricky Ponting.
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