Australian coach Justin Langer heaped praises on his young team for their tough attitude despite the 31-run loss in the series opener against India at Adelaide. Langer also accepted that Virat Kohli-led Team India completely outplayed the hosts in the first match of four-match Test series.

Speaking about the second Test that will be played at the new Perth stadium, Langer said he was hoping for a juicy wicket. The second Test between India and Australia will also be the first to be played at the new Perth stadium starting on Friday, 14 December.

 “A lot of coaches who lose say the same thing. There’s a lot of really positive stuff. We got so close, didn’t we? There were a few key moments in the game but overall we fought really well, we fielded really well, there was great energy. We caught well, and probably just didn’t spend as much time in our partnerships with our batting as we would have liked,” said the Australian coach before departing for Perth.

“Two out of the last three Tests the Australian cricket team’s shown great fighting spirit to draw in Dubai and we just lost yesterday. We’re getting closer with this young team,” added Langer.

Justin Langer also said his team almost pulled off a record chase on Day Five of the first Test. He said it got easier to bat on the last day.

 “I knew that it’d get easier to bat on the drop-in wicket in Adelaide. Unfortunately we just weren’t able to (string partnerships) as we were losing wickets at crucial moments. If we’d have been two or three down overnight it might’ve been a different ball game, but it wasn’t the case,” Langer said,

“India outplayed us, there’s no doubt about that. There was no point in the game where I felt we were on top of India. To their great credit they were more patient than us and they bowled really well,” he added.

So far, only a couple international game has been played at the new Perth stadium. The Perth pitch is expected to be fast and bouncy.

 “Hopefully that’s what it was traditionally at the WACA, and that’s what we’ve talked about for a long time, pace and bounce. If we can get that, it’d be a great thing for Test cricket. I’m really fascinated and can’t wait to see what the Optus Stadium wicket brings. There’s been one four-day game in its history there. I went and watched a bit of the Shield game, New South Wales and Western Australia. There was certainly some pace and bounce,” Langer noted.

“We’ve seen some pace and bounce in it during the ODI and T20 games, plus a fast outfield. Again it’s an unprecedented period – first Test match on a drop-in wicket in Perth at the new stadium. Time will tell what the wicket brings,” said the former Aussie opener.