I was the lucky one who came away with the rewards: Hilfenhaus

Australian pacer Ben Hilfenhaus was a picture of modesty after claiming a five-wicket haul in India's first innings in the first cricket Test here today, saying he was "the lucky one who came away with the rewards".

"We identified we needed to start well with the ball and as a bowling group we felt like we did that and I was probably the lucky one who came away with the rewards," said Hilfenhaus after bowling out India for 282 on day three at the MCG.

"Everyone offers something a bit different(ly) and it's great to see the depth of Australian bowling at the moment."

Hilfenhaus began the day with the wicket of Rahul Dravid off his second ball and in all took four wickets for 23 runs today morning to add to his one scalp yesterday. Hilfenhaus, who returned to the fold after being in the cold for most of the year, felt the hard work he undertook with his state bowling coach was beginning to pay off.

"Over the pre-season, I spent a fair bit of time with (Tasmania bowling coach) Ali de Winter, identifying a few technical problems. "I tried to fix them and feel like I'm on my way back. Most of the work over the off-season was based on technique and learning to use the crease a bit better and getting up and over my front knee basically.

"So I guess today was just about banging that area. It's got a little bit of movement there if the ball's in the right area and it's hard to start." Getting back the place in the national team was, however, not without its struggles.

"Obviously a fair bit of hard work went into pre-season, a fair bit of time in the gym and as I said on the technical side of things. I guess it's quite rewarding to be back in the baggy green. Hopefully, I can continue and get better."

"I never thought it was the end. I just knew that hopefully one day if I keep doing the things I can control and fix the things I needed to fix that I could always put my hand up there and say that I'm a swing bowler."