Coach Lehmann rues injuries to his players in brutal Brisbane heat

Brisbane, Dec 17: Australian coach Darren Lehmann praised his team for enduring a tough opening day of the second cricket Test at the Gabba today but said he expects them to come up with a better showing against India tomorrow.

Report

Riding on opener Murali Vijay's hundred, India finished the first day on 311/4 even as Australia struggled with their fitness in brutal Brisbane heat today.

"It was a hard day in terms of conditions. We had a few good periods with the ball, especially in the second session," Lehmann told reporters.

"But in the end, we didn't have a good third session. It is hard to put the ball in right areas when you have so many players pulling up due to cramps or injuries. Obviously the heat affected their skills and it was like a revolving door today. But these are excuses and we are better than that.

"Overall I think we had a good day. I haven't experienced a day like that as coach or as player, so that says something.

"It was an eventful day for us. Obviously it would have been nice to have the full contingent on the park after the day's play out there. But it happens in cricket sometimes and hopefully won't happen again," he added.

Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, all left the field at some point of time during the day. Marsh has injured his right hamstring and might not bowl again in the match.

Starc and Hazlewood were cramped up as temperatures soared at the Gabba. They are expected to bowl again tomorrow.

"Josh Hazlewood was very good for us today. He has just suffered cramps. It was good to see him pretty relaxed in the morning when he came up to play for his country and received his Baggy Green. He was the pick of our bowlers by far today. I am told he should be fit for tomorrow and that is good news," said the former Australian cricketer.

PTI