Taylor feels everything working well (12 October 1998)

12 October 1998

Taylor feels everything working well

The Dawn

Australian captain Mark Taylor, has said that everything seems to be working well for his squad as they are playing good cricket on the tour.

With "victories Karachi and Rawalpindi, followed by a draw here, everything is working outgreat for us," Taylor said while taking to reporters at the end of the four-day game at KRL ground.

Australian squad leaves Rawalpindi for Peshawar on Monday morning. On the first day in Peshawar, the squad may also visit the famous Khyber Pass.

About announcing the side for the second Test, Taylor said that they would see the conditions and wickets first and consider their options before announcing the team on the eve of the game.

However, Taylor took a hint from the 14-members shortlisted by the Pakistan selectors which includes three pacers that is Wasim Akram, Mohammad Zahid and Shoaib Akhtar besides all rounder Azhar Mehmood. "They have announced three pacers and if the wicket is green then probably we will do the same."

Taylor has given left-handed middle order batsman Darren Lehmann a 70-30 chance of getting fit for the second Test starting Oct 15 at Peshawar's Arbab Niaz Stadium.

Australian skipper said that Lehmann informed him about a slight tightening of the groin muscle when batting on 85 in the second innings on the third day. "The way he was playing I suggested that he can go back after completing his hundred," Taylor said.

Lehmann, 28, who has so far displayed great batting form with over 300 runs in four innings during the tour, was escorted back to the dressing room by physio Pat Farhart.

The Australian skipper added that Lehmann's condition was one of the reason why they didn't go after the RDCA in the second innings. He would have been very useful with the left-arm slow bowling but once he was counted out and three days from the second Test at Peshawar, it was thought better not to stretch the bowlers. "Therefore, through out the day I utilised bowlers in small spells. I made sure that bowlers are not over-used," Taylor said.

The Australian skipper was all praise for the local side. "This game was very important for us and they played hard game.

The wicket was hard but the bounce sometime came a little low. But we had good batting practice."

Shakil bowled very well to get 10 wickets in the match, he stuck to his line especially for the right-handed batsmen he bowled just off-stump line to keep the pressure on, Taylor said.

About the fitness of players in the Australian camp, Taylor said that Gavin Robertson complained of body pain and Glenn McGrath was feeling a little snoozy. Ponting who also kept wickets after the tea break while Ian Healy flexed his muscles at bowling, was feeling better after the dreadful food poisoning, Taylor said.

Commenting on his personal batting form, the Australian skipper maintained that he was coming out of the four to five months off season and lacked batting practice. "But, here I think I was batting well, moving my feet well in the first innings also before getting out but 60 plus in the second innings make me feel good."

Summing up the chat, Taylor said that side-games are important but it was difficult to work out an ideal schedule, as people want to see international game.

Source :: The dawn (www.dawn.com)