In Dav Whatmore's view, the India vs Australia series begins evenly.
"The way I see it, it's going to be a contest between India's vastly experienced batting line-up and a resurgent Australian attack," Whatmore, who played for Australia and has coached Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, told The Telegraph.
Speaking on Sunday, on the eve of the series, Whatmore added: "That both Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma are ready to play is great for India, but it's a four-Test affair and they've got to stay fit throughout."
What about Australia's inexperience at the top of the order?
"I've factored in that Ed Cowan is making his debut and that David Warner and Shaun Marsh have only played five Tests between them... However, don't forget that they've been brought up on pitches in Australia and home advantage does count," Whatmore responded.
Whatmore insisted that Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey must not be written off.
And, who could make the difference?
"For India, it may well be Virender Sehwag... He's so destructive... For Australia, potentially, it's James Pattinson... He's had a terrific start to his Test career," Whatmore replied.
Asked if he regretted not playing Pattinson during IPL-IV, Whatmore, who coaches the Kolkata Knight Riders, said: "No... At that point, he was 'competing' with Brett Lee and Brett played... Of course, the way he has developed is so pleasing."
What was his message to Sachin Tendulkar, who has been on 99 International hundreds for nine months?
Grinning, Whatmore answered: "Don't focus on the outcome... The more you do that, the harder it will be... Instead, focus on the things that have worked for 22 years... Don't worry about the 100th hundred, it's going to come."
That was a good note to end the one-on-one.
Whatmore, who is on vacation, will be present at the MCG on Boxing Day.
Speaking on Sunday, on the eve of the series, Whatmore added: "That both Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma are ready to play is great for India, but it's a four-Test affair and they've got to stay fit throughout."
What about Australia's inexperience at the top of the order?
"I've factored in that Ed Cowan is making his debut and that David Warner and Shaun Marsh have only played five Tests between them... However, don't forget that they've been brought up on pitches in Australia and home advantage does count," Whatmore responded.
Whatmore insisted that Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey must not be written off.
And, who could make the difference?
"For India, it may well be Virender Sehwag... He's so destructive... For Australia, potentially, it's James Pattinson... He's had a terrific start to his Test career," Whatmore replied.
Asked if he regretted not playing Pattinson during IPL-IV, Whatmore, who coaches the Kolkata Knight Riders, said: "No... At that point, he was 'competing' with Brett Lee and Brett played... Of course, the way he has developed is so pleasing."
What was his message to Sachin Tendulkar, who has been on 99 International hundreds for nine months?
Grinning, Whatmore answered: "Don't focus on the outcome... The more you do that, the harder it will be... Instead, focus on the things that have worked for 22 years... Don't worry about the 100th hundred, it's going to come."
That was a good note to end the one-on-one.
Whatmore, who is on vacation, will be present at the MCG on Boxing Day.
News source by:- http://cricket.yahoo.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment