Twenty seven goals across three Tests and an Australian coach smarting from a “vicious act” of a tackle? The final two matches between the Kookaburras and India look set to be more than a weekend of World Cup warm-ups.
In a five-Test series in Adelaide, Australia hold a 2-1 lead heading into the weekend matches following 5-4 and 7-4 victories before India edged the third encounter 4-3.
Akashdeep Singh scored the winner with under 60 seconds left, with India also garnering their first win over the green and gold since 2016, a run of 12 defeats in 14 matches all told.
After the match, the two teams took part in a practice shoot-out.
However, controversy ensued when India goalkeeper PR Sreejesh injured Australian forward Ky Willot.
“It was a vicious act,” Australia coach Colin Batch said.
“And, you know, the FIH and the regulations need to do something about it when a player deliberately takes someone out and injures them.”
Summing up their first defeat in Adelaide, Batch added: “It was really hard game and they definitely turned up.
“We thought towards the end when we overpowered them that we did enough to at least draw the game but we were very loose after coming up with the equaliser so there were some good lessons for us.”
