Hyderabad: They have not posted a big first innings total but Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade says their bowlers can still get them a lead against India in the second cricket Test.
Australia declared their innings at 237 for nine after electing to bat.
"These wickets are so different to what we are used to playing on. Any lead will be an advantage at this stage. I feel that if can we bowl well, we can definitely restrict India to under 230. We have got to bowl well enough," said Wade, who scored a valuable 62 and added 145 runs for the fifth wicket with skipper Michael Clarke (91).
About the declaration at the fall of ninth wicket, Wade reasoned, "The main message that we tried sending was let`s try and get a couple of wickets tonight."
"There was up and down bounce. We felt, if we can get the ball in the right areas, get one to stay low or get one to jump up, we can get a couple of nicks or a couple of leg befores. May be, we can have a couple of wickets tonight. That didn`t happen but we are pretty confident that if we hit the stumps enough, we will create enough chances."
Wade applauded the Indian bowlers for keeping up the pressure.
"They (bowlers) bowled well and the ball was reversing. They got early wickets and then challenged us with every ball they bowled. They will play their role throughout well."
About his own innings, the 25-year-old Tasmanian said, "I felt in control today. I felt like my plans against the spinners and quicks came off pretty well. Still, it was pretty disappointing to get out when I did. Myself and Michael had built up a good platform. We lost a lot of wickets in that last session. I was satisfied in a way that my plans worked."
Wade agreed that having Clarke for company during their century plus partnership did help him a lot.
"It was nice to have him there. He is a very experienced player and captain of our team and a very good player of spin as well. So it was nice to have him there just to bounce a few ideas off here and there. It was nice to have a partnership but it would have been nicer had still we remained at the crease tonight," he said.
Wade was quick to defend youngsters Moises Henriques and debutant Glenn Maxwell, who were dismissed cheaply by Ravindra Jadeja.
"It would have been nice to get a few more runs going down the order today but Moises played out of his skin in the last Test match and Maxi's (Maxwell? nickname) first game. I think you will see big runs from those two throughout the tour."
The glovesman was quick to admit that spinners will play a big role tomorrow.
"Absolutely, we have got two spinners plus Michael (Clarke) as well. Davey (David Warner) can have a bowl if he has to. Not only will they play a big role tomorrow but also the quicks. We will be hoping that our seamers can get a couple of lbws or bowled tomorrow."
Wade didn't want to be dragged into the discussion about whether the team members were kept in the loop regarding the changes in the side.
"The team gets announced a day before the game but we don't go into why people aren't playing. That's a decision for Michael and the selectors and the coach to make. We are paid to play cricket for Australia and whatever XI is picked we are going to go out there and do our best to win. "
On a different note, Wade informed that there was absolutely no doubt about his participation in the match after he sustained an injury on his cheekbone (just below the left-eye) while facing throwdowns.
"There was no doubt about it, really. I just needed to check how I woke up. Just to make sure, my eye didn't close over. When I woke up, I looked in the mirror and I could see properly, so I was all good to play," said the player, who had a deep black patch below his left-eye due to the hit.
Wade also said that when conditions suit the spinners, sweep is an important shot for a couple of their players.
"It's about assessing when we play it. England played it here and scored a lot of runs, I think it is a valuable shot. Going into day four and five, sweep will probably play its role."
PTI
First Published: Saturday, March 02, 2013, 19:19