“The big boys stood up”: Paine impressed by how Australia responded under pressure in Adelaide

Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine loved seeing how the side responded under pressure in Adelaide.

On the back of a 295-run loss in the first Test in Perth, the Aussies completely dominated India across all three days of the Adelaide Oval’s pink ball clash, winning by 10 wickets.

With most of the XI coming under heavy criticism following the Optus Stadium defeat, Paine loved seeing how the side came out breathing fire in the second Test with Pat Cummins (2/41 & 5/57), Mitchell Starc (6/48 & 2/60), Travis Head (140) and Marnus Labuschagne (64) the standouts.

“A bit of relief I would have thought, no doubt,” Paine told SEN Breakfast in regard to how the Aussie side would be feeling.

“We spoke a couple of days ago about the pressure that was on them and the response that people were wanting to see.

“This is a harshly treated team at times, but they are one of the great teams. 

“They have won everything but the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and they know that, they’ve spoken about that, this is the one they want to tick off. 

“I thought the way they responded under immense pressure was huge, albeit in a pink ball Test where we have a great record and India don't get to see it that much.

“The big boys stood up I thought particularly the captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc - the pink ball wizard, Travis Head was amazing and Marnus I thought was really pleasing.”

While the fast bowlers and Head stood out most from an individual perspective, Paine was particularly impressed by Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney’s huge effort to get through the last session on Day 1 at 1/86.

Up against a fiery India attack with a pink ball under lights, Paine loved seeing the duo fight through that period to give Australia a huge platform to win the Test.

“I thought the last session of the first day was Test cricket at its absolute best,” Paine said.

“You've got an absolute champion running in full steam under lights with a pink ball. 

“You've got one of our absolute champions who's averaged 60=plus at times fighting to save his career and you've got a kid in his second Test trying to establish himself. 

“I thought both of those guys for different reasons were huge. That was just as good as professional sports get when you’ve got players that are so good fighting so desperately.

“It does not get any better than that … it doesn't get any harder. 

“For Marnus and Nathan McSweeney at different points of their career to be able to nail down get through … that just put Australia so far out in front of that Test match.”

The third Test between Australia and India begins on Saturday, December 14. Listen to every ball LIVE on SEN and the SEN app.