PERTH:The onfield verbal duel between rival captains Virat Kohli and Tim Paine has been one of the talking points of the second Test here but Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood Monday played it down, saying it was done in good spirits.
During the 71st over of the Australia innings bowled by Jasprit Bumrah, the respective captains were seen exchanging words after Kohli decided to field close to the non-striker and on-field umpire Chris Gaffaney warned both the players.
But, Hazlewood cautioned against reading too much in the exchange of words between Kohli and Paine. “I think it was all good fun, it’s quite competitive out there as you know and there’s going to be words from time to time but it was all in good spirits,” Hazlewood said. “I don’t think we read too much into it, we go about our work as we see fit and the Indians can do what they like. We control what we control and our behaviour is what we control. We’ll worry about that and let everything else take care of itself.”
It worked out well for Australia in the end as Kohli was dismissed for 17 in the second innings as India crashed to 55-4 in their chase. But, Hazlewood said Australia were not targeting a single batsman.
“No definitely not. I probably see (Cheteshwar) Pujara as the big wicket as far as when I’m bowling, the glue that holds them together I think. He’s batted the most balls this series and scored nearly the most runs.
“I see Pujara as a big wicket and Ajinkya Rahane as well. So the nos. 3, 4, 5 as the key wickets.” He added. (PTI)
