If India’s cricket fans expect Australia to be vulnerable in next year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) after Pat Cummins & Co’s shock defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at Darwin, they’re mistaken, according to Australian High Commissioner Phillip Green. “We learn when we win, but we learn a bit more when we lose. Pat Cummins is an extraordinary leader, so India should not be particularly comforted [by Australia’s defeat to Bangladesh] because, while we’re good at all times, we’re even better with our backs against the wall,” Green told mid-day during an exclusive interaction at the Australian Consulate-General office in Bandra-Kurla Complex recently.

Green is in the city to promote the India-Australia Roadmap for Sports Collaboration, titled ‘G’Day, Namaste,’ which will kick off with a Big Bash League match between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades in Chennai this December. “India and Australia share a great cricket connection. Hats off to Cricket Australia for coming up with this idea and the Indian authorities for agreeing. Sport is the newest field of bilateral engagement,” Green said, adding that Australia’s Trade team will be hosting a Sports Industry Summit in Mumbai in December to promote collaboration between Indian and Australian companies in sports equipment manufacturing, and sports businesses.