Dravid, Srinath caution against complacency

By G. Viswanath

MUMBAI, FEB. 25. It was a balmy Sunday morning and visitors to the Wankhede Stadium at `D' Road, Churchgate sensed a feel-good mood in almost everybody present in the city's cricketing headquarters. The presence of the two teams-India and Australia- just about made it all the more exciting.

Yes, everybody is giving due respect to Steve Waugh's Australia which has won 15 Tests in a row and is looking forward to a series win in India for the first time in 32 years. It faced two quality teams-India `A' in Nagpur, and Mumbai at the Brabourne Stadium. It conceded the first innings lead to India `A' and as Shane Warne said on Saturday evening, it was outplayed by Mumbai.

But India's two senior cricketers, Javagal Srinath and Rahul Dravid, even while appreciating the performance by the two Indian teams, said: ``We would not like to read too much into the outcome of these two matches. We are happy the way India `A' and Mumbai played, but a Test match is altogether a different situation,'' said Dravid soon after the team arrived here this morning.

Dravid's average in 40 Test matches is 53. 58, but it's much lower against Australia; he has scored 356 runs in seven Tests for an average of 29.66.

Asked about the preparation for the series he said: ``I think our preparation has been good so far. It's important to focus on our strength. We have to bat well and spend a lot of time in the middle. I see myself as one of the six batsmen. The responsibility is always there in any Test match. Shiv Sundar Das and Ramesh are good players. Australia's bowling is different from what it was in 1998. It has a proven bowling attack that has won 15 Test matches.''

India's vice-captain is not expecting a real run-in between the two teams. ``They play the game very hard and enjoy it. There is no harm in it. We have never had any problems with them off the field. I expect a closely fought series,'' said Dravid.

Srinath, India's No. 1 fast bowler for almost six years, said he would give immediate attention to the Test series. ``I would definitely like to play the one-day series as well.''

Srinath, who has taken 28 wickets in 10 Tests against Australia at a high 42. 60, revealed that the team had discussed strategies in team meetings.

``I hope the tactical part is adhered to by the bowlers and executed in the Test match. This is very important. We have three seamers and as many spinners.''

Srinath stressed that India should play to its strength. ``The fast bowlers should know to bowl on Indian pitches. There is an example in Kapil Dev. I have learnt to bowl over a period of time. There will be help for the fast medium bowlers. But I am sure the Australians will come out solidly in the Test matches. The side games are forgotten once we are into the Test series. Australia has won 15 Tests in a row. I, in fact, hope to learn from them in this series.''

The Indian team had another long session at the Wankhede on Sunday. Captain Sourav Ganguly and coach John Wright have been very guarded in making statements. Since February 7, Wright has been concentrating on fielding drills and catching practice.

``The Australians don't give too many catches. It's important to hold those that come your way. And it's important to get your basics right,'' Wright had said about a month ago. And it's been in this area that he has been working on these days.

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