Fleming warning on Indian attack (9 December 1998)

9 December 1998

Fleming warning on Indian attack

The Christchurch Press

New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming has warned of the danger of his side focusing too much on the talents of Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar.

He says the Indian bowling attack is just as potent.

"I think you can put too much attention on him (Tendulkar) when you have players like (Mohammed) Azharuddin and (Ajay) Jadeja who are outstanding in their own right," said Fleming.

"I know there's a lot of talk about their batting but I think they will be more of a competitive bowling force with their seamers (Javagal) Srinath and (Venkatesh) Prasad more than capable of ripping through a batting order.

"They are a very balanced attack."

Fleming hopes the bounce and seam of New Zealand pitches will help combat the Indian top order.

He said the Kiwis did not have a set plan to try to get Tendulkar out.

"You have to play the percentage game and say if you put enough balls in this area then hopefully we have a chance of getting him out.

"There's no secret to it . . . it's basically good line and length and making him come to you because he's not a batsman that likes to be dominated.

"If you are patient and put enough balls in the right spot you might get a chance through the bounce or the seam."

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)