Tim Paine looked extremely pleased. There was pride, relief, joy and a sense of peace coursing through him as he spoke to the media after Australia drew level at 1-1 in the current Test series against India.
The host skipper lauded his men and also downplayed his run-in with his counterpart Virat Kohli.
Excerpts
THE KOHLI CLASH
It got pretty close. But it is what it is. It was a highly competitive Test match from both teams. There was a lot on the line and both teams desperately wanted to win and sometimes that stuff happens.
TURNING POINTS
I thought the way (Aaron Finch) Finchy and Marcus Harris played in that first session, to put on 112, looking back, that was critical. It allowed us to get a 300-plus score in the first innings. From that moment I felt we were always just ahead in the game, and only needing a partnership or a wicket to continually stay in front. Then Nathan Lyon’s bowling in the first innings was unbelievably good.
THE LYON THAT ROARS
At any stage you can throw him the ball, it doesn’t matter at what end, or who is on strike, what time of day it is, he loves it and he loves getting in the contest, even with the bat at the moment. His game keeps going to another level. I can feel guys growing in confidence around Nathan and that’s what you want from your senior players. He has been fantastic.
SPECIAL TRIUMPH
As a group, we are relieved. It’s been hard work. The first two Tests of this series have been really tough. Both teams have outstanding fast-bowling attacks. It’s been a really bruising Test match. We have some really inexperienced players in terms of Test matches played. To get a win like this against the best team in the world is going to give them a huge boost of confidence.
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