By IANS
Sydney : Australian left-arm spinner Brad Hogg played a different role on the opening day of the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Coming in at the fall of Adam Gilchrist with only the tail to follow, Hogg (79) hit his maiden half-century and gave Andrew Symonds (137 batting) solid support as the pair put on 176 runs for the seventh wicket to bail out the hosts.
At stumps Australia were 376 for seven.
Hogg, hit 79 and Symonds was still there at close with 137, as Australia turned the tables on India.
“When I went out to bat, it was a situation where you can be a hero or zero, but luckily at the end of the day, it turned out to be the former,” said Hogg. “It was fantastic to get a partnership at that stage. We (me and Symonds) were just enjoying our batting out there.”
The 37-year-old Western Australian spinner lauded Symonds for his wonderful batting display and said he is a great package for Australia.
“Symonds is a great character. He is terrific cricketer in all departments of the game. He is a great package that we have in our possession,” he said.
The spinner said that representing Australia in Test cricket was the biggest dream of his life and he is happy to have achieved that, even if somewhat later than what he had expected.
“I enjoy bowling anywhere under the baggy green. I love to represent my country and I am happy to cement my place in the squad at this age,” said Hogg, who made his Test debut during Australia’s 1996 tour to India.