Amid uncertainty whether the fourth Test would be held in Brisbane after reports emerged of Indian players not wanting to go through a hard quarantine that Queensland rules currently mandate, Australia skipper Tim Paine chose to make a mention of the “power” of India in world cricket.
“I wouldn’t say frustration. I would say a bit of uncertainty when you hear things like that - coming particularly from India who we know hold a lot of power in world cricket - it is likely that it could happen,” said Paine, speaking on the eve of the third Test that starts in Sydney on Thursday.
“We are not too fussed. We are not going into where the Test is being played. As far as we are aware it is at the Gabba. But as I said at the team meeting the other day, we couldn't care less if you rang us up and said it is in Mumbai tomorrow. We will get on a plane and go and play. That’s the way we’re looking at.”
About the Sydney Test, Paine urged his batsmen to be more proactive and expressive in their strokeplay to counter the Indian bowlers. “We have spoken about the mindset. We have got some decent plans,” Paine said. “It is just a matter of going out and having the courage to execute them.
“I think at times, we have just let them (Indian bowlers) dictate to us a little bit, let them build pressure and, then you know with the pressure, you lose wickets.”
