Adelaide: Former cricketers lauded Australia and India for a hard fought first Test, which the hosts won by 48 runs after a spectacular batting collapse saw the visitors lose eight wickets for 110 runs in the final session of the match.
Skipper Virat Kohli (141) and Murali Vijay (99) had looked to put India in the driving seat with the score on 205 for two at tea and the visitors needing 159 runs off 37 overs in the final session.
Former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath congratulated the team and tweeted that a chance of beating India 4-0 was still alive. “Sensational win by the Aussies. Hung in there all day & got their rewards. Well played boys. Four nil still alive,” tweeted McGrath.
McGrath, also called ‘pigeon’ by his teammates praised Indian captain Kohli for back-to-back centuries. “Great innings by Virat Kohli. Second hundred for the match. Fought all the way. Well played mate.”
Indian spinning great Anil Kumble rued India’s collapse, tweeting,: “Well done Aus.Remarkable win. @NathLyon421 well bowled! Ind fell apart in a session. Worrying nobody showed fight after Virat and Vijay.”
South African Jonty Rhodes wrote: “Sad I missed end of #AUSvIND sounded like good cricket all round.”
Former Australian batsman Dean Jones said, “This match proves again that Test Match cricket is the greatest game of all! Well played India and Australia and awesome performance from Lyon!”
Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill congratulated Lyon, who took five wickets in the first innings ended the match with his first career 10-for. “Well played @NathLyon421 enjoyed every single ball you bowled. World class.”
“All over @CricketAus win first test. @NathLyon421 #MOM what a brilliant test match!,” tweeted Tom Moody.
