The legendary Australia National Cricket Team batter Matthew Hayden has shared crucial tips with the India National Cricket Team that could help them win the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
The third Test between the India National Cricket Team and the Australia National Cricket Team is set to be played at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, Woolloongabba, from December 14.
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India need to rely on hovering in that fourth, and fifth stump line – Matthew Hayden
Speaking to Star Sports, Hayden suggested the pacer bowlers of the visiting team to target the fourth and fifth stump lines and use the bounce present on the surface to make like hell for the Aussie batters.
“India, when they do get a chance to bowl, they need to rely on hovering in that fourth, fifth stump line a bit more. And most importantly, they need to use their bounce,” Hayden said.
He added that the Brisbane Test being played with the normal red ball would put Indian and Aussie pacers on the same level, unlike the Adelaide Test, where the pink ball was used and the Aussies dominated.
“It’s a key arsenal as part of a fast bowling unit in Brisbane. The red ball will definitely be more familiar in terms of Test match cricket. Australia have the running with the pink ball, they won so much with it.”
India must bat better, they must bat for time – Matthew Hayden
The India National Cricket Team batting unit has been struggling a lot in Test cricket and Hayden is aware of it. Hayden urged the visiting team batters to step up and bat an entire day to put up a score of at least 350 runs on the board.
“India must bat better, they must bat for time. They must bat a day of Test match cricket. Under a day, unacceptable. Has to be in that 350 zone.”
Notably, the visitors got bowled out for 150 in their first outing of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Perth. They batted well in the second innings of the same match as they piled up 487/6d.
However, in the next match in Adelaide, the batters struggled to get going against the pink ball and registered scores of 180 and 175.
Brisbane, different ball game – Matthew Hayden
The previous Test match between the India National Cricket Team and the Australia National Cricket Team at the Gabba in Brisbane was held during the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
In the match, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side registered a historic victory in the absence of several star players to clinch a memorable 2-1 series win and break Australia’s unbeaten record at the venue.
Talking about this, Hayden said that even though Brisbane is Australia’s home, India would be high on confidence remembering their previous outing.
“Brisbane, different ball game! It’s a home game, but it’s actually a very good game for India as well because they’ve got memories of the last time they encountered Australia in the BGT,” Hayden said.