Sport

‘Time for the younger guys to step up’

— PHOTO: AP

SPEARHEAD: Brett Lee says he is well aware of his responsibilities as the senior-most bowler in the side and enjoys the pressure that comes with it.

JAIPUR: Greg Chappell could be the key factor in deciding the course of Australia’s forthcoming four-Test series against India.

According to speedster Brett Lee, the team would bank on the experience of Chappell, former India coach and currently the head coach of Cricket Australia’s Centre for Excellence. Chappell is also associated as a consultant with the Rajasthan Cricket Academy.

“Having Greg here will definitely help. He is a past captain and what he has achieved in life and his experience is second to none. It’s great to have him around. He is a key member of the Australian support staff. What he has done with the Indian team is brilliant and we will be picking his brains for every little detail,” Lee said at a press conference here on Tuesday.

Even though critics don’t rate this Australian team as the favourite in the Test series, Lee sought to defend his side featuring a few new faces. “You can look at us like the underdogs but the way we played last summer you have to give a lot of credit to the boys. The thing is we have been able combine very well and that’s one of the reasons why the Australian team over the last couple of decades has been doing well. There is no difference in this regard to what the team was in 2004.”

On the stalwarts who have retired in recent time, the speedster said, “Yes, we have lost the likes of Glenn (McGrath), (Justin) Langer, (Shane) Warne, (Adam) Gilchrist but it’s the new era of Australian cricket and younger guys have to step up and there is no better stage than India.”

The 31-year-old is well aware of his responsibility as the senior-most bowler in the side and fully backs the Aussie attack. “I know there will be lot of pressure to lead the attack, but I have always enjoyed the pressure. There’s a lot of talk about the inexperienced spinners but they have played a lot of cricket back home and it’s a great challenge. To play against India in India is pretty exciting. The pitches have not been conducive to fast bowling and Mitchell (Johnson), I and other fast bowlers definitely have our work cut out. I think on paper you might say that we don’t have an experienced line-up in India but we have done a lot of good work. The last time we played against them in Australia it was an outstanding series,” he remarked.

Lee, however, admitted his team would miss aggressive all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who was not selected on disciplinary grounds. “Every team will miss an Andrew Symonds, everyone loves to have him but there have been a few circumstances everyone is aware of, he understands what he has to do to get back into the team.”

The Australian speedstar, who was recently separated from his wife, said he would give his best despite going through a tough phase of his life. “I am here to play cricket, it’s a difficult time of my life and I have to accept that. I personally look at this tour as a massive opportunity. I can’t wait for the first Test match, I am raring to go.”

Asked whether the Aussies would target explosive Indian opener Virender Sehwag, Lee said, “You mentioned only one player, but I think there are six or seven world class players. We are up against some pretty amazing players and Sehwag is just one of them. Guys like (VVS) Laxman and (Sachin) Tendulkar are tough to dismiss.”

Lee said participating in the Indian Premier League would help players in both sides get to know each other. “The Sydney controversy is behind us and it is turning over a new page. We are here to play tough and fair cricket but the fact that we played IPL for different franchises helped. I hope this series is all about cricket only.”

The Australians will play a two-day practice match here on September 27 and 28 against the Centre of Excellence of the Rajasthan Cricket Association before moving to Hyderabad.

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