Indian captain Sourav Ganguly isn’t being negative about the prospectively green seamer that will greet his side and New Zealand when play starts in the first National Bank Series Test in Wellington tomorrow
Lynn McConnell11-Dec-2002Indian captain Sourav Ganguly isn’t being negative about the prospectively green seamer that will greet his side and New Zealand when play starts in the first National Bank Series Test in Wellington tomorrow.Ganguly said such a wicket gave both sides the opportunity to take 20 wickets.He goes into the match confident that the 10 days to acclimatise to New Zealand conditions had been sufficient for his side and that they have made the most of the time they have been here.Having been in England for three months he is sure that his players are technically prepared for the sort of batsmanship that will be required to succeed in New Zealand.Rahul Dravid may have had a stunning tour here in 1998/99, and he had shown his skills all around the world, but the whole Indian batting line-up contained world-class players who should be able to adapt.Batting would be a test of character for his players.While his side seem to be starting to break down the away-from-home jinx that has affected India’s touring record, he is still searching for a Test series win away from home. He must be reasonably confident that this two-Test series affords him a rare opportunity.There is also the personal incentive to do well. At the moment he is one behind the record for most wins as Indian captain held by Mohammad Azharuddin on 14, but a win in Wellington, or in the second Test in Hamilton, would see him draw level or even jump out on his own.”I want to win a series abroad, that is the main aim of my captaincy career,” he said.By comparison, his New Zealand rival Stephen Fleming is out on his own with 17 Test victories for this country, although he will go into this Test without his preferred attack with Chris Cairns once more unavailable due to injury.Dealing with Wellington’s notorious wind would be another factor and he said someone in his team had to stand up and do the work, although he did add “good luck to them.” It was something he might have to consider for himself.In the conditions, the requirement was simple for his attack.John Wright, their Indian coach, had been a help, not only on this tour with his knowledge of local conditions but throughout his tenure.”Things don’t change whether we play in New Zealand, England, Zimbabwe or South Africa where the wickets are seaming around. The basic technique remains the same. Obviously his input is there but at the end of the day it is everyone’s own game.”The main thing is you have to bowl a good length. Bowlers tend to bowl a bit short seeing the carry. So it is important that you bowl the right length on these wickets and allow the ball to move around. Obviously you have a different length for specific batsmen but when it is doing a bit the right length will cause a problem for all batsmen.Ganguly didn’t discount the influence that off-spinner Harbhajan Singh could have in the match.”Even on a greenish pitch in Jamaica he took 10 wickets, and at The Oval where it wasn’t turning at all he got five. He bowled well at Nottingham on green pitches so obviously he is a strength to a side. He will be handy on any surface because he gets so much bounce.”