'We'll miss Astle': Fleming
Stephen Fleming and Rahul Dravid look ahead to the TVS Cup
Dileep Premachandran
22-Oct-2003
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Chris Harris: back to bolster the New Zealand team © Wisden Cricinfo |
Stephen Fleming and Rahul Dravid look ahead to the TVS Cup.
Stephen Fleming
On the challenge ahead
It's the toughest test a team can have. The fact that it's the one-day format means it's an even great challenge. We're playing the world champions, and the team that finished runners-up, and while we don't particularly like the underdog status, we know we'll need to be at our best to reach the final. It's very rarely that you have a triangular where all three teams have a chance to win.
On the challenge ahead
It's the toughest test a team can have. The fact that it's the one-day format means it's an even great challenge. We're playing the world champions, and the team that finished runners-up, and while we don't particularly like the underdog status, we know we'll need to be at our best to reach the final. It's very rarely that you have a triangular where all three teams have a chance to win.
On Chris Cairns
He looks very determined, especially because several good young players have emerged in his absence. He's a proud man who relishes playing a big part for the side.
He looks very determined, especially because several good young players have emerged in his absence. He's a proud man who relishes playing a big part for the side.
On the absence of Nathan Astle
Of course we'll miss him. He's a quality player who excels in subcontinental conditions where the ball doesn't bounce much.
Of course we'll miss him. He's a quality player who excels in subcontinental conditions where the ball doesn't bounce much.
On Chris Harris and role of spin in the tournament
I'm not sure if we'll play two spinners because we have Chris Harris, who can share the slow-bowling duties with Daniel Vettori. I'm sure Chris will be delighted to be back at Chepauk, after the way he performed in 1996. But we also remember that we couldn't finish the game off then.
I'm not sure if we'll play two spinners because we have Chris Harris, who can share the slow-bowling duties with Daniel Vettori. I'm sure Chris will be delighted to be back at Chepauk, after the way he performed in 1996. But we also remember that we couldn't finish the game off then.
Rahul Dravid
On the impact of the drawn Test series
One-day internationals are completely different and I don't think too much should be read into what happened in the Tests. I don't feel under any pressure to perform, apart from the pressure that every sportman has to deal with when he represents his country.
On the impact of the drawn Test series
One-day internationals are completely different and I don't think too much should be read into what happened in the Tests. I don't feel under any pressure to perform, apart from the pressure that every sportman has to deal with when he represents his country.
On wicketkeeping
Parthiv Patel will play, but I'm not going to say whether this is the end of Rahul Dravid the wicketkeeper.
Parthiv Patel will play, but I'm not going to say whether this is the end of Rahul Dravid the wicketkeeper.
On Sachin Tendulkar's poor form
I find all the comments very strange. The questions are based just on one or two bad games, which is a bit silly. But in a way I'm glad because knowing Sachin, he will come back hard.
I find all the comments very strange. The questions are based just on one or two bad games, which is a bit silly. But in a way I'm glad because knowing Sachin, he will come back hard.
On Hemang Badani, and the team composition
Hemang has done really well in domestic cricket, and on the A team tours. He's hungry to do well ... all 14 members of the squad are fit and ready. We'll decide on the playing XI and the batting order after we take a closer look at the pitch and conditions at the time.
Hemang has done really well in domestic cricket, and on the A team tours. He's hungry to do well ... all 14 members of the squad are fit and ready. We'll decide on the playing XI and the batting order after we take a closer look at the pitch and conditions at the time.
The flat pitches for the Test series
I don't prepare the pitches, my job is only to bat on them. You can't do much about it really, except do the best you can on every surface you come across.
I don't prepare the pitches, my job is only to bat on them. You can't do much about it really, except do the best you can on every surface you come across.