By IANS
Melbourne : Michael Clarke said Friday that Australia are confident of winning the Melbourne Test match as it would be improbable for India to achieve the huge target of 499 runs.
With still two days of play remaining it will be a uphill task for the Indian batsman, despite having all 10 second innings wickets in hand.
“We are confident of winning the match, 499 second innings target is a huge one,” said Clarke, who top scored in Australia’s second innings with 73.
The 26-year-old from New South Wales, who is tipped to be the next national captain, went on to add that it would be hard even for the experienced Indian batting line-up to score runs on this wicket, once the ball loses its shine and shape. He thinks that the wicket will not deteriorate any more.
“I don’t think the wicket will deteriorate much. It will be the same but the pace and bounce will be less once the ball gets older,” Clarke said.
Clarke also singled out make-shift opener Rahul Dravid, struggling with form, as a possible threat and said that Australia’s main task Saturday morning would be to get rid of the batsman.
“Rahul is a big threat as he has always played well against us. Hopefully we will get him early tomorrow,” Clarke said.