Australia's batting lineup is eager to prove themselves against India's formidable attack in the upcoming second Test at Adelaide Oval, according to batsman Travis Head.
"The batters want to hold their own," Head stated, emphasizing the team's ambition to match India's prowess. "We know how good our bowlers have been for us in the past, and they've gotten us out of trouble a lot," he added, acknowledging Australia's strong bowling performance.
Head also addressed recent speculation regarding potential divisions within the squad, which currently trails India in the series. "That can be put to bed," Head firmly declared. He highlighted the team's strong camaraderie and unity forged over the past three to four years. "This team's been together for three to four years ... the guys get along really well," he affirmed. "Definitely no divide," Head confidently asserted.
Head's comments aim to quell any doubts about team cohesion, underscoring the positive relationships and shared goals within the Australian camp.
Earlier, bowler Josh Hazlewood's response to a question regarding Australia's approach to a challenging fourth-innings run chase in the first Test had raised eyebrows. He suggested that the batting strategy should be addressed by the batsmen themselves, which fueled speculation about potential discord within the team.
Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist and former England captain Michael Vaughan interpreted Hazlewood's remarks as indicative of a fracture within the playing group. However, Head dismissed these theories during a press conference at Adelaide Oval on Monday afternoon.
India secured a resounding 295-run victory in the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. After being bowled out for 150 runs in their first innings, India staged a remarkable comeback to dismiss Australia for 104 and set a daunting target of 534 runs.
KL Rahul's 77 and Yashasvi Jaiswal's impressive 161 formed the backbone of India's dominant second innings, which culminated in a declaration at 487/6. Despite valiant efforts from Travis Head (89) and Mitchell Marsh (47), Australia fell short of their target, finishing at 238 all out.
The Adelaide Test promises to be another thrilling encounter between these two cricketing powerhouses. The Australian batsmen will be eager to prove their mettle against India's potent attack and even the series scoreline.