Vinay Kumar confident ahead of Australia tour

Vinay Kumar, the India seamer, has said he is confident of adapting to playing conditions in Australia and believes he is good enough to play Test cricket. A regular in the ODI squad over the last couple of years, Vinay was included in India's Test squad for the first time when he was named as a last minute replacement for the injured Varun Aaron for the tour of Australia.

"I have been to Australia earlier on three occasions with the Karnataka team, and once with India A," Vinay told the Indian Express. "So the place is not new to me and I know the conditions. I don't think adapting will be a problem for me.

"I know I am good enough to play in the longer formats. In 2007, I was the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy and repeated the feat two years later. I really enjoy bowling long spells. I will have to adjust my line and length in Australia. Hopefully, I will get to play in the practice games and I will bank on my previous experience in Australia.

He is not taking anything for granted though, and plans to speak to former India players about what it takes to succeed at the highest level of the game. "I will speak to former medium-pacers like Javagal Srinath and Venkatesh Prasad who know what it takes to excel at the international level. The India team bowling coach Eric Simons has been of great help and the same goes for coach Duncan Fletcher. Fletcher has told me in the past that I have the game for Test cricket."

Asked about this potential as an allrounder, Vinay said it was important for everyone down to No.11 to be able to bat. "I started my career as a batsman. Today, even the No. 11 needs to be a decent bat. Last year, Ishant [Sharma] had a partnership with VVS Laxman in the Mohali Test against Australia, which helped us win the game. It was a wake-up call for every bowler, with regard to how valuable a contribution with the bat can be.