The former Australian cricketer Dean Jones feels that the present Indian cricket team is far better than the present Australian cricket team. He further added that India will never win a Test series in Australia if they fail to win this tour.
Like many experts, Dean Jones also feels that the no.1 Test ranked team India is a huge favourite for the upcoming four-match Test series against the hosts Australia, who are currently struggling in the international cricket due to missing some important regular and in-form players.
According to Sydney Morning Herald, Jones said, “If India don’t win this series, they will never win in Australia. India are miles better than Australia in all formats but do they have the belief, and will their fast bowlers last the distance?”
However, some experts are looking at India’s poor results on the Australian soil and believing that Australia has a good chance to beat India as India has never won a Test series on the Australian soil. Moreover, they have won only five Tests on the Australian soil out of 44 Tests (hosts Australia won 28 Tests) while their last Test victory in Australia was in January 2008 at Perth.
But, Jones strongly believes that it is the best chance for the Indian cricket team to massively change the records in their favour. He believes that Steve Smith and David Warner’s unavailability for this series is going to be the large setback for Australia’s batting.
Jones added, “With India’s history, maybe this series will not be a fait accompli. I do feel the result will go India’s way to the tune of a 2-0 or 3-0 result, as I just can’t see Australia winning a Test anywhere.
“Normally when Australia play at home they are very hard to beat. But now there is no Steve Smith and David Warner, who consistently make 40 per cent of Australia’s runs. For Australia to win, who is going to fill those shoes?”
Also read: Gilchrist Doesn’t Feel India Will Start As A Favourite In The Australia Test Series
Jones has warned the Australian players to not engage with the in-form Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who is currently the top-ranked Test and ODI batsman.
The former Aussie cricketer said, “Do not talk or provoke him. Make him your best mate.”
Also read: David Gower Is Hopeful On Test Cricket Future After Virat Kohli Supports It
Mentioning Kohli as a perfect batsman, Jones provides some tips to stop the present no.1 Test and ODI batsman cheaply.
The 57-year-old added, “Trying to find a weakness in Kohli’s game is like trying to find something wrong with the Mona Lisa. Teams must stop his cover drive and bowl in different areas.
“At the start of Kohli’s innings, quicks need to bowl at a fourth-stump line and make him play on the back foot. Do not give him width and length outside off-stump. Bowlers must try to set him up with short stuff first and then the odd wide ball on the drive to find the edge. Slips and gully stay on high alert.”
Also read: Ponting Feels Khawaja Will Finish On Top Of Kohli In The Test Series
Jones compared the present Australian cricket team with the 1986 Australian cricket team that had toured in India. Jones finished that three-match Test series as the leading run-scorer while that series finished with the 0-0 result.
Jones recalled those moments, “In 1986, Australia were in a similar position when they toured India. Australia had a very inexperienced team. But what they did have was two great leaders: Allan Border and Bob Simpson.
“The players didn’t worry about the opposition too much, they just looked within and worried about themselves. Border and Simpson privately spoke to each player and helped each individual organise their game plan.
“Within weeks, the team was very much committed, with game plans sorted, as they had the total support from the coach and captain. All we had to do, was execute.”
