I will target Dravid, says Warne

[vibs89]

Australia in India 2004-05

Shane Warne has said that he will be targeting Rahul Dravid, recently named as the ICC's player of the year, when Australia's Indian series kicks off with the first Test at Bangalore on October 6.

"Dravid is the key batsman. I will be targeting Dravid", said Warne. "We are good friends off the field, but on the field, he's the best player and in form. He's the guy I will be targeting. He's on a roll. He's the rock. In the two tours I have been here, I have had Dravid seven times. I don't know why my success is against him, and not some of the other players. I know how to bowl to him. I think all the Indian players know how to play spin, Rahul is as good as anyone in the world."

Warne also underlined Sachin Tendulkar's batting class, and backed him to be fit to play in the first Test. "Tendulkar is the best batsman in the world in my 15 years of playing," he added. "There's a lot of talk about his tennis elbow, but I have got no doubt that he will be there for the first Test.

"The Indian players jumped at everything and did not allow my plans to work in the previous tours," Warne continued. "It's when I attack that I am at my best, but as a spinner, you have to adapt, and at times you have to bowl to a defensive line. We are a bit smarter now. Two Test tours in 15 years is not a lot to learn how to play in these conditions, whether you bowl fast or slow. Six Tests in 15 years is not a lot."

With Australia seeking their first series victory in India for 35 years, Warne said he believed the current Australian side to be the one most likely to achieve the goal, although the loss of Ricky Ponting because of injury was a big blow.

"This is our best chance to beat India. It's not an easy task though. The team that's here now is better equipped than the previous two teams that visited here in 1998 and 2001. Our batsmen are playing spin better than they used to. Ponting is a huge loss, though. He is up there with any of the best batsmen in the world. As a captain, he's excellent.

"We have some inexperienced Test players, but I have seen Michael Clarke first hand and he's a super player. When he gets his chances, he will be sensational. Our team has variety in batsmen and bowlers. Darren Lehmann, Clarke, [Brad] Hodge, [Simon] Katich: they are all good spinners as well. That's the beauty of the selection of this squad. There's tremendous variety. It's a credit to the selectors that they have given us options.

"This time I am fitter than I have ever been - injury-free, touch wood - so I think I am in better shape," Warne added. "The real test of a spinner is how you go over here. It's the hardest place to ply your trade. I am quietly confident the way we are going to play as a team. We will be aggressive in our batting, and we have all got plans. I have a plan for the guys and hopefully it will work this time. I have some plans for most of the Indian batsmen, mixing it up, and different types of things."

Warne admitted that the small issue of the world Test bowling record was also on his mind ? he is just five wickets behind Muttiah Muralitharan. "I would like to get that record away in the first Test. A series win is definitely the first priority, but from a personal point of view, I need only six wickets for the world record," said Warne. "That's high on my agenda, but as I have found out over the years, sometimes you are close to a world record and you try too hard. If it doesn't happen, you get frustrated. So I have got to be very patient. The key is knowing your own game and being patient. When I am patient I do well, when I am not, I don't do well."

Warne also hinted, rather obviously, that this would probably be his last tour of India. "I don't know if I would come back here when I am 39," he said. "The only thing I have not experienced is to win a series in India and play a major part. If I do well here, we have a big chance of winning. I won't say this would be a major swansong, but I would like to play a major part. I have to make a big statement with the bat too here, not only with the ball."

? Wisden Cricinfo Ltd

 

[vibs89]

Hayden looks forward to the contest

Australia in India 2004-05

The Australians have arrived in India, as one of the most eagerly awaited Test series of all time prepares to get underway in the coming weeks. And in the absence of their captain, Ricky Ponting, a huge burden falls on the shoulders of Matthew Hayden, the one batsman to completely master the conditions on Australia's previous tour in 2000-01. Andrew Miller spoke to him at a press conference in Mumbai.

Matt, it was on your last tour of India in 2000-01 that your phenomenal run of form began. What's it like to be back here again?
It's great to be back. In fact, it's a similar position to the one we faced three years ago. The series is between two very similar sides, who are competitive home and away, and it's going to be a great showdown. It's one we've certainly been looking forward to, and I'm sure world cricket has been looking forward to it as well, especially after the way India performed in Australia last year.

You said prior to the series that subcontinental batsmen are selfish.
Actually, I didn't say they were selfish. I think I've had my say about those supposed comments.

But do you think that sportsmen need to be selfish to reach the peak of their achievement?
Do I think that? Well, I guess it depends on what level of achievement you are talking of. It's not the only way.

You said recently that you were surprised about India's performance in Australia
I wasn't surprised by that performance ? not at all, in fact. I think the expectations of that series were clouded by the fact that, in general, India don't play well away from home, and the stats back that up. But they have six absolutely incredible batsmen, and a very handy bowling attack who performed well on our seaming wickets. India reached their potential on that tour, I think.

You got it right in India first-time around. What is your approach going to be this time?
As a team, we've been working very hard on our approach to spin bowling, and our approach to subcontinent-style wickets in general. We used our tour to Sri Lanka as something of a platform, and it paid off, because from No. 1 to No. 7, we all put in key performances. If we bat as well here, it will set up a big contest.

Over the last six months, however, our preparation has been interesting, because it has all been one-day cricket, for us and for India. We haven't had an opportunity to hone our Test skills, so the first Test is going to be a race to see who can get up to speed the quickest. Whoever gets there the quickest will probably win the match.

You've been a prolific century-maker in recent years. Do you get afflicted by the nervous nineties at all?
To be honest, I rarely notice when I'm in the nineties. I very rarely pay attention to my individual score, because it's not a key to my performance. But when I'm batting with Justin [Langer], I always know our partnership score.

Test match cricket is the best game that can possibly happen in front of full crowds

You and Langer have set the new benchmark for the first day of a Test match, and now scores of 350-plus are the norm
It's the way we've been brought up in Australia ? we've always been taught to play positive, proactive cricket. It's definitely a conscious decision, as we aim to put pressure on opposition in all facets of the game, and the best way to do that is to score runs.

I think there are given moments in the game that have changed the face of cricket. For instance, there was Dean Jones, who transformed the way we approach one-day cricket, with his attitude to running between the wickets. Then in the 1996 World Cup, the Sri Lankans devised a pinch-hitting strategy to score as quickly as possible from the moment the game begins.

Now players are sensing the opportunity to bat in that manner all the way through their 50 overs. It becomes addictive and it's changed the face of world cricket. And is it entertaining? I think it is.

So does that mean that the boundaries between one-day cricket and Tests are becoming blurred?
The similarities are becoming a lot closer, there's no question about that.

So, with that in mind, how much of an effect will that Champions Trophy defeat have on the side?
Zero ? only because I think we're far too professional to let that concern us. We've had one bad game in three months, and these things happen when it's a knockout tournament.

How does a newcomer to the side pick up on the winning habit that the senior players have fostered?
He develops it through role-modelling, and through seeing how the senior players react to situations. Winning is an addictive thing, and when it becomes ingrained in your conscience, you don't have to do much to work on the habit, other than watch and learn how the other players go about their business. It's a question of leadership

So how much have you been talking about the conditions?
We have to talk a lot about the subcontinent, because it's so different to home. With the likes of Michael Clarke, Shane Watson and Brad Hodge in the side, it's great to give help to them. That's hardly letting the cat out of the bag though ? of course we talk about the conditions.

What are your impressions of a tour of India?
I really enjoy it. The country is incredibly hospitable and the passion for the game is second to none in the world. It puts us right in the hot seat, no mistake. We've already noticed how highly our profiles have been elevated ? back home I could walk through Sydney with the wife and little one, and no-one would recognise us. That's not the same here, and it could never happen, because of the love of game and the people involved. Test match cricket is the best game that can possibly happen in front of full crowds, and as Test cricketers we really appreciate that affection for the game.

How do the crowds impact on the game?
The vibe of the crowds is substantially different. They get on a roll when something starts to happen, and it can be quite critical that you don't get caught up in that. The momentum of the game affects the momentum of the crowd, and it's something you have to have in the back of your mind. It's a powerful combination, and you have to have a strategy to deal with that ? maybe slow things down and take stock of the situation.

On the last tour, Shane Warne had shipments of baked beans and vegemite to keep him going. Anything you'll miss from home?
I'll miss my wife and kid ? that's for sure.

? Wisden Cricinfo Ltd

 

[espnstar]

ok so shane warne is trying to attack dravid........ tell him to bec arefull dont hurt your self

 

[The_gas]

i really think shane warne is a bit to cocky at times, despite being a top bowler.