It was a little startling to see Travis Head at Australia's press conference on Boxing Day yesterday because, like most non-bowling Aussies, he was almost anonymous on the park on Day One of the third Test. But Pat Cummins, Australia's only wicket-taker, had sent down 19 tiring overs, and someone had to come over and offer the team's views.

Head, who has had a good series with the bat, admitted his team would have liked to have picked up more wickets. "We would have liked to have 3-4-5 wickets tonight. Hopefully, as the game goes on, we will get more spin," he said. Head was all praise for IPL teammate Mayank Agarwal, whose sparkling 76 was the bedrock around which the visitors constructed 215 for two.