IND vs AUS 2023: We started to play better as the series went on – Steve Smith

Australian skipper Steve Smith feels they started to play better as the series went on after the fourth Test match was drawn on a lifeless pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Monday. The visitors lost the first two Test matches at Nagpur and Delhi as their batters couldn’t deliver the goods.

However, the tourists made a strong comeback at Indore, winning by nine wickets. Australia also posted a par score of 480 runs on the board in the first innings at Ahmedabad but there was not enough help in the surface to yield a result.

Smith also showered praise on the two young spinners – Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann – who both impressed on their maiden tour to India. Murphy was able to hit the ground running as he scalped seven wickets in the first Test at Nagpur whereas Kuhnemann snared a five-wicket haul in the first innings at Indore.

Murphy took 11 wickets in three Test matches whereas Kuhnemann picked eight wickets in two Test matches in the series. Furthermore, Nathan Lyon was also brilliant as he took a total of 22 wickets in four Test matches.

Steve Smith said at the post-match presentation, “Did end slowly. Was pretty flat at the back end. The boys had a great time. The hospitality has been amazing. The crowd has been amazing. We started to play better as the series went on. The madness in one hour in Delhi cost us that game. The wicket here was too flat for us to force a result. The spinners bowled really well. Murphy and Kuhnemann bowled with composure. Lyon bowled his best in the first innings here, the best I have seen him bowl. I am getting a bit old (on asked if he will be touring India in four years time).”

Australia ticked the right boxes in the last two Test matches but they couldn’t win the crucial stages in the first two games, which led to their downfall. In fact, the visitors had their noses in front in the Delhi Test match but couldn’t capitalize on the advantage.

Australia will now take on India in the three-match ODI series, starting March 17.