Australia were too reliant on Steve Smith, says Graeme Hick

Australia had conceded a 32-run lead to India on Day 3 of the fourth Test thanks to Ravindra Jadeja’s 63 and his 96-run stand with Wriddhiman Saha for the seventh wicket. In the second innings, the visitors needed another big innings from skipper Steve Smith but before the deficit could be erased, Smith was bowled for 17 by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. (DAY 3 BLOG)

Australia never recovered and they were all out for 137, setting India a target of 106. (DAY 3 SCORECARD)

Speaking at the media conference, Australia’s batting coach Graeme Hick said that Smith’s dismissal was a huge blow. “We have been a bit reliant on Smith. Considering the volume of runs he has got, you would want to keep him going. With the kind of form he has been in, his wicket was unfortunate,” Hick stated.

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Smith has been the main difference between the two sides in this series. He became the first Australian captain to smash three centuries in a series in India and ended up becoming the leading run-getter in the series with 499 runs. If Smith had a glorious series, then Australia’s other impact player, David Warner endured a miserable time on this tour

Warner will reflect on this failure

The Australian opener ended the series with just 193 runs at an average of 24.37 after he was dismissed for yet another low score in the second innings here. On his previous tour to India in 2013 too, he averaged just 24.12.

Hick said, “Warner will be disappointed with his aggregate on this tour. He is an aggressive player and that is the way we want him to play. He was desperate to do well and was expected to have a big influence here. Whether he put himself under pressure, only he can answer. He wil reflect on it and assess it himself.”

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Hick said that it was not easy for Warner upfront and pointed out the instances when he was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. In this series, Warner fell to Ashwin thrice and twice each to Jadeja and Umesh Yadav.

Pin drop silence in the dressing room

Hick said that Monday was one of the most disappointing days for the team on this tour. “You could hear a pin drop in the dressing room. It was a very disappointing day. India bowled really well with the new ball and they rode the momentum,” Hick said.