'India's 'insipid performance' made Oz look better than it is during recent Test series'

Melbourne, Jan 29 : India''s insipid performance in the recently concluded Test series against Australia has made the latter look better than it is, an article in a daily has said, pointing out that Australia had lost a Test against New Zealand seven weeks ago.

The Sydney Morning Herald article also noted that both timing and location of the series worked in Australia’s favour.

It described the brimming confidence of Australia as the ethereal quality in sport.

“Clarke''s mantra comes in two parts: Australia has far to go, but aims to get better every day,” the article said.

It said that every game in cricket can be attributed to cause and effect, pointing out that India did not put a formidable score, while Australia owed its performance to its bowling line- up in the recently- concluded Test series

But there are other reasons to blame for India’s 4-0 drubbing in the Test series against Australia, according to the article.

“India''s cricketers are millionaires and sometimes play that way. Even their greats in this series tended to go at the ball with hard hands, far in front of their bats, a most un-Indian method. Now, I wonder where they developed that habit?” the article said.

The article said that Clarke had earlier admitted that his side was still smarting from the 2011 Ashes humiliation, but he and Ponting had rebounded most in the Test series.

“Clarke''s accidental malapropism during yesterday''s presentation summed it all up. India, he said, ''''copped a bit of slack'''',” the article concluded.