'Tendulkar can be a match-winner with the ball' - Wright
Two days before the start of the first Test between India and New Zealand at Ahmedabad, John Wright looks ahead to the challenges confronting the team
Wisden Cricinfo staff
07-Oct-2003
Two days before the start of the first Test between India and New Zealand at Ahmedabad, John Wright looks ahead to the challenges confronting the team. Despite the heat, Wright is pleased with preparations, conditions and just about everything else. He described the scorching heat as "very pleasant" and addressed a press conference.
On the Ahmedabad Test
A lot of teams have come to India expecting to beat us. England came here after winning series in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. All I can say is that we are looking forward to the match here, to the entire series.
A lot of teams have come to India expecting to beat us. England came here after winning series in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. All I can say is that we are looking forward to the match here, to the entire series.
On India's preparation for the New Zealand series
We have also been preparing plans for the opposition. Every team has plans for each other. That actually hasn't changed too much over the years. I suppose the equipment these days allows you to do it in quicker time, but planning for different teams and players has been going on for years and will continue to happen. We have our plans. The trick is to execute them. It's all very well having plans, but it's the execution that's the key. We have done our home work and the thing about us is we want to play good cricket. We try and concentrate on our preparation and what we want to do. That's always been my belief. You only achieve good results if you play good cricket and play well yourself. We tend to look inwards as much as we can, bearing in mind that we need to do our home work on the opposition as well.
We have also been preparing plans for the opposition. Every team has plans for each other. That actually hasn't changed too much over the years. I suppose the equipment these days allows you to do it in quicker time, but planning for different teams and players has been going on for years and will continue to happen. We have our plans. The trick is to execute them. It's all very well having plans, but it's the execution that's the key. We have done our home work and the thing about us is we want to play good cricket. We try and concentrate on our preparation and what we want to do. That's always been my belief. You only achieve good results if you play good cricket and play well yourself. We tend to look inwards as much as we can, bearing in mind that we need to do our home work on the opposition as well.
On the selection of Akash Chopra, L Balaji and Aavishkar Salvi
Particularly in Akash's case, he is in good form and he has earned that opportunity with two good scores against the tourists. Balaji had a very good Irani Cup match. Salvi has been taking wickets in Sri Lanka. When young players come in, it is tough on the ones that have to go out, but in those particular cases, the players have earned their selections.
Particularly in Akash's case, he is in good form and he has earned that opportunity with two good scores against the tourists. Balaji had a very good Irani Cup match. Salvi has been taking wickets in Sri Lanka. When young players come in, it is tough on the ones that have to go out, but in those particular cases, the players have earned their selections.
On playing home Tests with only four specialist bowlers
It's a formula that's worked for us in India, and particularly in my tenure. I feel we have a tremendous opportunity to use people like Sourav, Sehwag and Sachin, perhaps bring them more into the game. I encourage them to bowl in the nets as much as possible. I think Tendulkar can be a match-winner with the ball. I have seen him play a big part in winning one of the Test matches against Australia in Kolkata. Sehwag is easily capable of bowling 12-15 overs in a Test match, he has got a lot of ability. And the captain is fitter and faster.
It's a formula that's worked for us in India, and particularly in my tenure. I feel we have a tremendous opportunity to use people like Sourav, Sehwag and Sachin, perhaps bring them more into the game. I encourage them to bowl in the nets as much as possible. I think Tendulkar can be a match-winner with the ball. I have seen him play a big part in winning one of the Test matches against Australia in Kolkata. Sehwag is easily capable of bowling 12-15 overs in a Test match, he has got a lot of ability. And the captain is fitter and faster.
On the Indian team's fitness levels
Physically, we are fit. We are coming off a break, we were just used to playing cricket for long periods of time. It's a little different in that regard, but certainly the boys are fresh, fit, keen and eager. I think they can play a bit! We are looking forward to playing attractive, entertaining cricket.
Physically, we are fit. We are coming off a break, we were just used to playing cricket for long periods of time. It's a little different in that regard, but certainly the boys are fresh, fit, keen and eager. I think they can play a bit! We are looking forward to playing attractive, entertaining cricket.