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Sehwag: Australia are scared

26/01/2008

India opener Virender Sehwag has added more fire to the series against Australia by claiming the mighty Aussies are scared of losing.

Sehwag pointed to Australia's slow run-rate in the third day of Adelaide Test today to say that the home side were afraid of drawing the four Test series which they lead 2-1.

Australia ended the day on 322/3 – scoring only 260 in the entire day - in reply to India's first innings total of 526.

"I think they're not going to win so they are scared and playing very defensive," said Sehwag. "Last time we came here they scored 400 in a day. I think they're scared about defeat.

"On a flat track they scored 260 in a day and lost three wickets so there must be something wrong in their batting line-up, or maybe something wrong in their thinking.

"We're working hard on our bowling and fielding but if someone's playing defensive we can't help it. We are just in a positive frame of mind and we want a result, it doesn't matter whether we win or lose," added the opening batsman.

However, opener Matthew Hayden, who scored a hundred for Australia, hit back by saying his side's poor run-rate was down to India's defensive field placings. The burly batsman added that he "didn't feel particularly threatened by the way they [India] bowled".

India will need to make a few early breakthroughs in the fourth day if they are to have any chance of squaring a so far engrossing series. Australia have captain Ricky Ponting unbeaten on 79 and Michael Clarke on 37.