Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg head coach Andrew McDonald has been criticized for his comments about India’s “intimidating” marking for the openers. Constas himself in the Sydney Test. Brad Hogg dismissed Andrew McDonald’s comments, saying it was a bit too far to call it intimidation.
The controversy erupted during the fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test after Usman Khawaja was dismissed in Australia’s first innings. jasprit bumrah and Sam Konstas engaged in a verbal exchange before being dismissed. Bumrah took a close look at Constas after taking the wicket in the last ball of Day 1.
The way India recorded was quite intimidating – Andrew McDonald
The Indian players celebrated Khawaja’s wicket by standing in front of Constas, who was conspicuously on the non-striker side. Andrew McDonald criticized India’s celebrations after Khawaja’s dismissal, saying, “Obviously the way India celebrated it was quite intimidating.”
Australia won 3-1 series 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy win. Sam Konstas scored 113 runs in four innings at an average of 28.25. Constas is expected to retain his place in the squad for the upcoming tour to Sri Lanka as Australia aim to prepare him for the home Ashes series in late 2025.
It’s taking a little too far – Brad Hogg
Brad Hogg disagreed with Andrew McDonald’s comments in a video he shared on his YouTube channel. Hogg noted that Constas had previously been involved in Indian skiing. The former cricketer said Konstas should prepare for similar treatment in return.
“The coach came out and said the Indian players were intimidating Konstas and there’s a mental health problem there, I think that’s going a bit too far,” Hogg said on his YouTube channel.
“If you want to say a few words to the opposition team, if you want to hit a four, go down and serve the bowler when he’s going towards the mark, you’ll have to sit there and control him. And on the way back,” he added.
Sam Konstas had a dramatic debut Test series which included a controversial shoulder barge incident with Virat Kohli during the Boxing Day Test. After the altercation, Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and given a demerit mark.
Coach Shouldn’t Talk About Indian Intimidation – Brad Hogg
Brad Hogg said Andrew Macdonald should focus on preparing his players for such events rather than defending them in public. Hogg further stated that McDonald should not discuss India’s “intimidation”, but instead coach Constas on how to respond to opposition moves.
“A coach shouldn’t talk about India’s threat. A coach should talk to his players about how to deal with the opposition’s retaliation rather than defending it, because if you’re going to give it, they’ve got it to take back,” Hogg added in the same video.
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