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Australia A manager rues losing the toss
From our correspondent
RAWALPINDI: Australia A team manager Bernard Robertson rued losing the toss on a sporting Pindi Cricket Stadium track following Pakistan A’s comprehensive win inside three days of the first four-day match here on Tuesday.
"The pitch had everything for the pace bowlers and winning the toss here was crucial. Pakistan A was lucky to have won the toss and from there on we were never able to get back in the game," the Australian team manager said.
He however said that credit still goes to Pakistan bowlers especially Umar Gul and Mohammad Sami. "Though the toss was crucial, I still think that Pakistan bowlers stuck to the task very well. They did not allow our batsmen to settle down and bowled according to plan," he said. Robertson had all praise for Umar. "He is a very promising bowler and bowled to a tight length while Sami kept on taking wickets at the other end."
The Australia A team manager was also concerned about getting little time to prepare for the match. "Look the players hardly had regrouped when they had to play against Pakistan A. Some were coming from Australia and others joined them from England. You need some time to get accustomed to the conditions in an away series," he said.
At the same time, Robertson sees little difference in the wicket behaviour to what they found back home. "If there was any difference in the wicket behaviour to what we find back home it was very minor. We almost get the same tracks back home to what we get here in Pindi," he said Robertson hoped his team would play better in the next four-day match starting at the KRL Ground from September 17. "We have almost three days at our disposal to train for the next game. You would definitely find overall improvement during next matches," he said.
The Australian manager also hoped to see some changes in the team for the next match. "We have 14 players in all with and hopeful all would be given opportunity to play," he said.
