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Test bowlers win praise

Test bowlers win praise

01/16/2012 06:00:32 AM

Australian coach Mickey Arthur is hopeful India's dismal showing in the Border-Gavaskar series doesn't lead to Australia's own impressive performance being downplayed.

Australia wrapped up the series 3-0 through a convincing innings-and-37-run victory in the third Test in Perth on Sunday, in just over seven sessions of play, as their attack dismissed India, the world's No.2 Test side, for just 171.

And, Arthur reserved special praise for the consistency of his bowling group after they set up the big win by dismissing India for 161 in their first innings as well, with the attack now having bowled out the Indians for an average score of 229 across their six innings.

"I wouldn't like the focus to be on how poorly India have performed, because I think we've played some fantastic cricket," said Arthur.

"I think some of our players have embraced exactly what we wanted to do and have produced outstanding results."

Arthur said it was a credit to the players, and especially the bowling group, the way they executed their plans throughout the series for the highly-rated Indian batting line-up, which is in tatters heading into the fourth Test in Adelaide.

"I think with your bowling partnerships, it's about having the ability to stop the game," he said.

"It's about having the ability to pressure, for pressure takes wickets and that's been our mantra in the dressing room."

"I just look back at the work of Peter Siddle. James Pattinson bowled outstandingly well and got all the rewards but he needed a Peter Siddle at the other end stopping the game as well."

"Siddle and Pattinson were tremendous together. Pattinson got the accolades and got the wickets but if it wasn't for Siddle at the other end he wouldn't have done it."

"That's been our mantra and that's how you build pressure."

"We've been able to execute that for long periods of time and you talk about breaking points, we always wanted our breaking point to be higher than India's and I think we've shown it."

"We've shown that by being patient and holding our nerve when the moments have presented themselves."

Arthur and Australian captain Michael Clarke have already indicated spinner Nathan Lyon would return to the side for the Adelaide test, starting on January 24, although the coach said selectors may consider resting Ben Hilfenhaus or Peter Siddle, after both have had extensive workloads throughout the summer.

Arthur said the upcoming one-day series would also be considered when selecting the next side, but added the extra two days breaks after India capitulated in under two-and-a-half days may get some bowlers over the line.

"All indications are Adelaide, you're going to play a spinner, there's no doubt about that," Arthur said.

"Mitchell Starc came into the squad this time, he performed really well, again it's part of us broadening the base of our quick bowlers, so we'll have a look as to how all the guys pull up."

"The guys have got nine days until we actually start again in Adelaide, so the guys will be well, well rested, so we'll just assess it the closer we get and have a look as to what our options are."

India, though, will have to also make at least one change after skipper M.S. Dhoni was suspended for a match by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for slow over rates.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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