Date:13/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/13/stories/2008101359581900.htm

Sport

Shane Watson believes Sydney script can be repeated

K.C. Vijaya Kumar

Professed ignorance about the timing of the declaration and the probable target
Termed bowling to the Indian middle-order as a “challenge”

— Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BOWLING WELL: Shane Watson successfully appeals against Anil Kumble on Sunday.

Bangalore: Shane Watson believes that the Sydney script can be repeated. In January earlier this year, the Indian team chasing 333 in the second Test at Sydney, capitulated to 210 all out in 70.5 overs with part-timer Michael Clarke grabbing three wickets.

Cut to the present with Ricky Ponting’s men sitting on a 263-run lead and a declaration imminent on the final day,

Quick reply

Watson was asked whether the Aussies fancied their chances of bowling out the Indians within 75 overs? The reply was quick.

“Yes I think we could but we have to bowl extremely well,” Watson told the media at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday evening.

However Watson professed ignorance about the timing of the declaration and the probable target. “Not really sure. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Ricky (Ponting) before coming here. I don’t know his plans and I know as much as you do,” Watson said.

Hard work

Watson said that the 65-run unfinished sixth-wicket partnership with Brad Haddin was hard work. “It was all about survival. Harbhajan was bowling well, Zaheer was reversing and it was tough to get them away for runs.

“We also know what happened yesterday when Zaheer and Harbhajan got aggressive (while batting), it helps to play a few shots when you are struck in a hole and you got to ride your luck, so we did that as well today,” Watson said.

The all-rounder was at his effusive best when asked about his comeback to Test cricket after three years. “I haven’t had as much fun playing cricket like the way I did over the last four days.

“Have learnt a lot, playing Harbhajan on a turning track, handling Zaheer’s reverse (swing) and bowling on wickets like these which is really hard work,” Watson said and termed bowling to the Indian middle-order as a “challenge.”

Watson also mentioned that the pitch had not deteriorated as much as was expected. “It is not really that bad and it has held on really well. It hasn’t deteriorated as much as we thought it would. “But yes there are cracks and it can get a bit up and down, hopefully I can hit a few in the right spots,” he said.

Meanwhile the Australian media manager said that Stuart Clark has a sore elbow but will probably bowl on Monday.

Firm belief

India’s fielding coach Robin Singh expressed firm belief in his batsmen and said that they will last the final day.

“I am not worried. We have a top class batting line up and they couldn’t get our lower order (in the first innings). The top-order is not a worry at all,” Robin said.

Asked about the team’s fielding standards, Robin said: “Today I thought we did pretty well.” And for the quick singles by the Aussies being a worrying factor, Robin said: “Not really. We (both teams) have similar fields and singles were scored by them as well as us.”