‘Missed our lengths, bowled too wide’ – Morkel on India’s pink-ball struggles under lights

'Missed our lengths, bowled too wide' – Morkel on India's pink-ball struggles under lights

As Australia extended their dominance into the second day at the Adelaide Oval, the contrast between the two teams' bowling under lights became evident. India's seamers didn't make the batters play enough, while Australia's quicks hit their straps more accurately to prise out five wickets in the final session on Day 2.

India's bowling coach Morne Morkel admitted that the visitors were a bit off the mark with the pink ball under lights.

"We missed our lines and lengths…were slightly off the mark with finding the right sort of length and at times, we were a touch wide…allowed the guys to leave a lot of balls. That was a learning," Morkel said.

India's seamers did put up a much improved show on the second afternoon, but Australia's Travis Head delivered a match-defining century for the hosts. Morkel was pleased with the improvement shown by the bowlers and had word of comfort for the young bowlers, especially Harshit Rana who copped a lot of stick.

Morkel chose not to be critical of his rookie pacer and instead felt that the youngster needed to be eased in situations like this.

"Test cricket is a tough, tough place…He is playing his second Test match, he will learn from these conversations…The biggest thing for us, for me, is to put my arms around him…To keep having conversations on him, for him to keep on learning…Days like today are helpful; they are painful but it will help you along the way."

The Adelaide Test is only India's fifth day-night Test and Morkel accepted that the team is yet to crack the code of this format.

"With the pink ball, there is always something in the wicket if you are consistent in the areas…having the plans and executing them for long enough is important…Australia has done that so far in the Test match."

India's efforts at recreating a bowling fightback were snapped by Head's pyrotechnics. Morkel, however, didn't feel that India were underprepared against the southpaw and chose to credit the Australian's skills under tough batting conditions.

"He is just a guy who is always looking to score…When he first came to the crease, we bowled well…Credit to him, he fought through that phase and got himself on…With the ball, we were slow to react in going from Plan A to Plan B."

"He is one of the guys going into this Test match, we spent a lot of time having conversations about Travis…As a bowler, if you are on your third or fourth spells, you need to be on the money, else they will take the game away from you."