indianexpress.com :: Slow WACA stumps Indians, Aussies

Slow WACA stumps Indians, Aussies

Agencies

Posted online: Friday, January 18, 2008 at 1845 hrs IST

Perth, January 18:
It was touted as a pacer’s paradise but a slow WACA has left both the Indian and Australian teams a bit surprised and the two sides say the one-time ‘fastest track in the world’ is now aiding spinners more than the quickies.

“The pitch has become slow and there is a bit of bounce to go with it,” said Indian batting mainstay VVS laxman after putting the visitors in the driver’s seat with a well-timed 79-run knock in the second innings on Friday.

Australian coach Tim Nielsen also agreed and felt the Indians were in a very strong position going into the fourth day as they had a quality spinner in Anil Kumble.

“It has been very hot here, which has made the track dry.

It is offering a lot of spin and bounce. India have a quality spinner in their ranks, which makes them all the more challenging on a fourth day track,” he said after the world champions ended the day 65-2 chasing a mammoth 413 for a record-breaking 17th straight Test win.

A worried Nielsen said the Australians were banking on skipper Ricky Ponting, who has had an ordinary series so far, to guide the team to the huge target.

“Certainly, to chase down this target is a real challenge and we have a very tough task on our hands. We have to start well tomorrow and (Michael) Hussey and Ponting have to bat really well,” he said.

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Slow WACA stumps Indians, Aussies Agencies Posted online: Friday, January 18, 2008 at 1845 hrs IST Perth, January 18: It was touted as a pacer’s paradise but a slow WACA has left both the Indian and Australian teams a bit surprised and the two sides say the one-time ‘fastest track in the world’ is now aiding spinners more than the quickies. “The pitch has become slow and there is a bit of bounce to go with it,” said Indian batting mainstay VVS laxman after putting the visitors in the driver’s seat with a well-timed 79-run knock in the second innings on Friday. Australian coach Tim Nielsen also agreed and felt the Indians were in a very strong position going into the fourth day as they had a quality spinner in Anil Kumble. “It has been very hot here, which has made the track dry. It is offering a lot of spin and bounce. India have a quality spinner in their ranks, which makes them all the more challenging on a fourth day track,” he said after the world champions ended the day 65-2 chasing a mammoth 413 for a record-breaking 17th straight Test win. A worried Nielsen said the Australians were banking on skipper Ricky Ponting, who has had an ordinary series so far, to guide the team to the huge target. “Certainly, to chase down this target is a real challenge and we have a very tough task on our hands. We have to start well tomorrow and (Michael) Hussey and Ponting have to bat really well,” he said.