Ganguly changes track, happy with the wicket

Ganguly changes track, happy with the wicket
DHARMENDRA JORE

MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 26: Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly’s resentment was all evident as queries poured in regarding the nature of the Wankhede Stadium wicket on which the hosts are scheduled to play the first Test match from Tuesday.

While Ganguly’s demand for a turner was doing the rounds Monday morning, the Wankhede pitch still wore a grassy look. And that promoted mediamen to bowl some bouncers at the Indian skipper, who cut the overstretched talk stating repeatedly that ‘‘we are happy with what we get’’.

‘‘I am satisfied with the pitch and it looks good. I think you can get lot of runs on it, if you can stay at the wicket. I am pleased with whatever wicket they have given us,’’ he added.

However, by the time Ganguly got rid of aggressive penpushers and reached the rectangle, the groundsmen were at work. One could see the staff rubbing the surface and Ganguly inspecting the task. It would be interesting on the morrow to see if the skipper’s demand is met.

Regarding the final eleven, Ganguly said that all the selectors were yet to arrive and the team would be picked only after discussing the issue with the ‘five wise men’. Ganguly said also that a Test match was a different ball game and preferred not to compare the two warm-up matches played earlier with the Test beginning here Tuesday.

Indian coach John Wright said, “The boys had learnt a lot and are raring to go. It was good to be together at the Chennai camp and we are looking for the series to start though it is difficult to predict the outcome ofthe series”.

“I can assure you that we will play hard cricket and give the Indian supporters their money’s worth. There is a bit of grass on the wicket but overall I think it is good wicket to bat on,” Wright said.

The Aussie skipper Steve Waugh said that his twin Mark, who injured his left hand in the three-day game against Mumbai a couple of days ago was fit andin all probability would play tomorrow.

‘‘Mark was comfortable in the nets and would surely play tomorrow. However, he may not field in the slips as we have many specialist fielders in that position and it would not make much of a difference who stands in the slips asall of them are good,’’ Waugh added.