By IANS,
New Delhi : Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark Thursday said it would be a mental battle for his team in the third Test against India in the remaining three days.
Double centuries from Gautam Gambhir (206) and V.V.S. Laxman (200 not out) helped India declare their first innings at a mammoth 613 for seven on the second day at the Feroz Shah Kotla. In reply, the Australians were 50 for no loss at stumps.
“It will be a sort of mental battle for the guys for the three days. And I think our they are up to it. We have some batsmen who average around 50 and I hope we can do it,” Clark told reporters after the day’s play.
Asked whether Australia will be looking for a draw, Clark said: “We are not looking to saving the match now. We just have to bat well for the next two days.”
Clarke also praised Laxman, who scored his second double hundred against Australia. Laxman is the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar to score more than 2,000 runs against the Australians.
“Laxman is a great batsmen, having played 99 Tests and averaging in 40s. He had some big score against us. It is not that we didn’t have any plans for him. He was just too good today,” he said.
Clark felt their bowlers tried hard but luck eluded them.
“It was a long day for us. The Indian batsmen batted well and it was tough work for all the bowlers. The pitch is still good for batting,” he said.
The fast bowler also said that they tried to get some reverse swing, but didn’t get much because the SG balls used here are different from the Kookaburra balls used in Australia.
“We tried a lot and there was just a hint of reverse. The ball is certainly different from the one we use,” he said.