Aussies all talk says King Kahn
October 14th 2008 21:29
India vs Australia day 5 highlights
Man of the match Indian fast bowler Zaheer Kahn says Australia now lack the defining edge that made them the world's best team for years now.
Khan accused Australia of being all talk after the sides played out a draw in the first Test.
The first match of the Border-Gavaskar series petered out into stalemate in Bangalore on Monday, Australia taking only four wickets on the final day after setting India a target of 299 to win.
Zaheer, who had wrecked Australia's hopes with a partnership worth 80 runs with Harbhajan Singh in the first innings, also claimed five wickets in the first innings.
"Australia came into this game talking about scoring at four an over," he said. "What happened to all that talk?
"They know that they cannot take 20 wickets. They couldn't get Harbhajan and me out.
"They are on the back foot and under pressure and we are in with a big chance."
The left-arm paceman rubbished Australia's pace battery, adding that the tourists are hampered by the lack of a top slow bowler.
"This match clearly shows that," he said. "On a fifth-day wicket, they could not do us any harm.
"That's shows just what their spin attack is all about.
"Even the pacemen didn't look like they would get a wicket at any stage especially on the fifth day on a wicket like this.
"Like I said, the pressure is on them to take 20 wickets."
Zaheer said his spat with Brad Haddin was in the past after the two clashed late on the third day.
"The Aussies always do these things," he said. "But we settled it there on the field and we decided not to take it any further."
Australia captain Ricky Ponting reacted with bewilderment to Zaheer's charge of defensiveness.
"I don't know what he meant to tell the truth," said Ponting.
"We were the only ones in the game trying to take the game forward. We played aggressive cricket. I'm not sure what he means by that.
"He can have a little bit of chuckle to himself on the inside, that's what I have to say to him.
"I don't think it means too much to us."
Zaheer Kahn was terrific with bat and ball
Man of the match Indian fast bowler Zaheer Kahn says Australia now lack the defining edge that made them the world's best team for years now.
Khan accused Australia of being all talk after the sides played out a draw in the first Test.
The first match of the Border-Gavaskar series petered out into stalemate in Bangalore on Monday, Australia taking only four wickets on the final day after setting India a target of 299 to win.
Zaheer, who had wrecked Australia's hopes with a partnership worth 80 runs with Harbhajan Singh in the first innings, also claimed five wickets in the first innings.
"Australia came into this game talking about scoring at four an over," he said. "What happened to all that talk?
"They know that they cannot take 20 wickets. They couldn't get Harbhajan and me out.
"They are on the back foot and under pressure and we are in with a big chance."
The left-arm paceman rubbished Australia's pace battery, adding that the tourists are hampered by the lack of a top slow bowler.
"This match clearly shows that," he said. "On a fifth-day wicket, they could not do us any harm.
"That's shows just what their spin attack is all about.
"Even the pacemen didn't look like they would get a wicket at any stage especially on the fifth day on a wicket like this.
"Like I said, the pressure is on them to take 20 wickets."
Zaheer said his spat with Brad Haddin was in the past after the two clashed late on the third day.
"The Aussies always do these things," he said. "But we settled it there on the field and we decided not to take it any further."
Australia captain Ricky Ponting reacted with bewilderment to Zaheer's charge of defensiveness.
"I don't know what he meant to tell the truth," said Ponting.
"We were the only ones in the game trying to take the game forward. We played aggressive cricket. I'm not sure what he means by that.
"He can have a little bit of chuckle to himself on the inside, that's what I have to say to him.
"I don't think it means too much to us."
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