Henriques Stays Positive Going Into Final Day

Henriques Stays Positive Going Into Final Day

Moises Henriques paid tribute to Mahendra Singh Dhoni's innings, saying it was one of the most amazing knocks he'd ever seen

©REUTERS / Action Images

Moises Henriques looks likely to end up on the losing side in the first Test against India in Chennai, but regardless he can look back on an impressive Test debut.

He has scored two half-centuries, taken a wicket and going into the final day, his partnership with Nathan Lyon had left Australia 40 runs ahead with one wicket remaining.

"Whatever we get tomorrow will have to be enough," a pragmatic Henriques said following the day's play. "If Nathan can keep batting like he did tonight, hopefully I can squeeze a few more out tomorrow.  We won't be stopping or setting targets and will just be batting as best we can.

"We haven't lost this Test yet, there is certainly a lot of hope, from my point of view you just don't know what can happen. 

"Obviously the odds are stacked against us at the moment but we go into tomorrow being the underdog.  Whether it's rain or whatever it is you just never know."

Henriques was part of a bowling attack that was flayed to all parts by Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the course of his innings of 224 - and one that could prove decisive.

"Sometimes it seems the harder and faster you bowl the furthur that Dhoni is going to hit it," Henriques mused.

"As disappointing as it was to be on the receiving end of it, it was one of the most amazing things I've seen. The way he batted with the tail, and almost whenever he wanted to clear the ropes he did. It was just a terrific knock."

Henriques needs to follow Dhoni's example if Australia are to pull off one of the most miraculous comebacks in Test history, but for the moment, he is simply enjoying the experience of being a Test cricketer.

"Whether I was able to contribute or not just to be able to play Test cricket at an international level is amazing. To be on the same field as players like Sachin and Sehwag, Dhoni and Harbhajan and Michael Clarke you have to keep pinching yourself."

His plan for the final day, which will begin with him on 75 not out?

"Go out there tomorrow, keep contributing, post something that can be defendable and give Nathan Lyon a chance to bowl on a day five wicket here."

© Cricket World 2013