For someone having hardly any experience of playing international cricket in India, what Ashton Turner did for Australia in Mohali on Sunday was massive.
Turner was playing just his second ODI and when he came into bat, the required run-rate had gone beyond nine runs an over and to make matters worse, Australia had lost centurion Peter Handscomb as well.
But Turner, albeit with a bit of luck, ensured he turned the game in the Aussies’ favour. For a newcomer to achieve the feat against bowlers known to do quite well at the death was certainly a monumental effort.
It was a “surreal feeling” for Turner. It had to be.
“At the stage I came in, from ball one it was getting harder and harder to bat. So, I thought of getting a few away early.
“The ball didn’t swing much because of dew. But looking at what I did thereafter, I’m still pinching myself, really,” Turner told reporters late on Sunday, after his unbeaten 84 off 43 balls helped Australia chase down a mammoth 359-run target and level the series 2-2.
Turner never faced the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav before, but he trusted his skills. The skills, which are fundamental for a batsman in limited-overs cricket…
“I haven’t faced Indian bowlers before. So, it’s a bit of a weird feeling, a surreal feeling having performed against world-class death bowlers.
“For me, I think it was just fortunate to be in such a situation. I had no choice as it was a do-or-die situation. I just had to go for the shots.
“I haven’t played much international cricket, which tends to create some doubts. But I do trust my skills. I’m eager to adapt to these conditions as best as I can,” he emphasised.
