30 December,2011 07:21 AM IST | | AFP
Skipper Michael Clarke saluted his three pacemen for twice knocking over India's strong batting line-up to earn Australia an emphatic winning start to the four-Test series in Melbourne yesterday.
Michael Clarke
The Australian pace trio of James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus shared 19 wickets to restrict India to a two-innings total of 451 as the home side romped to a 122-run victory in four days.
Clarke, whose team rebounded spectacularly from their shattering seven-run defeat to lowly New Zealand in Hobart earlier this month, praised his bowlers for their stout-hearted efforts.
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"It was a really hard-fought Test match and we have to be at our best to beat India," said Clarke, who improved his record as Test skipper to four wins from nine Tests.
"They've got a lot of class players, their batting order is as strong as any batting order in the world, so for our bowlers to have success I think they deserve a lot of credit. It helps when you've got three fast bowlers bowling with great control, good pace."
