Former Australia captain Steve Waugh feels that the pressure will be on hosts India going into the deciding fourth Test. Waugh also urged Australia to not tinker with the playing XI in Dharamsala, reported PTI.
“I think a lot of the pressure is on the Indian side,” he was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. “They’ve been expected to win this series and they now come into this Test match with the possibility of losing it.”
There has been speculation about Australia going with a three-pronged pace attack in the fourth Test with Jackson Bird replacing spinner Steve O’Keefe. Waugh, though, wanted the selectors to persist with the same side that eked out a draw in Ranchi. “So for Australia it’s about enjoying it, working together and not looking too far ahead,” he said.
The 51-year-old sung the praises of Australia’s star performers from the third Test, singling out the efforts of pacer Pat Cummins, who took four wickets in his comeback game. He also backed out-of-sorts opener David Warner to come good.
“I really admired the way the side fought hard in that last Test match,” Waugh said. “Cummins came into the side and made a huge impact, while batting-wise Shaun Marsh did a really good job together with [Peter] Handscomb. All the batsmen are pretty much in form and I think David Warner is ready for a big score.
“I think the big bonus for Australia for this Test match is Pat Cummins. I like the way he’s come into the side and together with Hazlewood they can form a really potent opening partnership. If there’s any life in the pitch, they’ll be really crucial.”
Waugh didn’t care much for change in personnel going into the game. “From an Australian point of view, I don’t see value in changing that side from the last Test match. I thought they were very impressive the way they came out of it surviving on that last day. They’ll take a lot of confidence [from that].”
