Tim Paine disappointed with batting performance

After India declared at 443/7 in their first innings, Australia could only manage 151 runs in 66.5 overs.

Australian captain Tim Paine conceded that with the kind of inexperienced line-up Australia currently has, batting performance like 151 all out in the first innings of the 3rd Test against India is bound to happen. (ALSO READ: India beat Australia by 137 runs; take 2-1 series lead)

After India declared at 443/7 in their first innings, Australia could only manage 151 runs in 66.5 overs. (ALSO READ: We are not going to stop here: Virat Kohli)

“It’s a bit disappointing,” said Paine during the post-match presentation. “With an inexperienced batting line-up, you are bound to have an innings like we did in the first innings”.

The skipper was all praise for Pat Cummins who picked 9/99 in the match and made a valiant 63 in the second innings.

“The pitch was very good (here at the MCG). After watching the wicket for the first two days, I knew that the pitch will crumble. Pat (Cummins) has been superb all series. We all know that he is a quality player. He has been fantastic for us. We want more guys to perform like him,” he added.

With India claiming the 3rd Test by 137 runs, Australia find themselves behind in the series and Paine said that they have a huge challenge ahead of themselves to draw the series level at Sydney.

“The guys are working really hard and we have a huge challenge ahead of us in Sydney. The conditions will be different in Sydney. It’s been an interesting year, a difficult year. In the next few months, some world-class players will be available to us again. We have to work really hard to go on and win the New Year Test,” he added.