Former Australian captain Mark Taylor feels India's in-form batsmen have not been tested enough in the past few months and they might find the going tough on bouncy pitches here when the Aussies unleash their young pacers during the upcoming Test series.
Published: Dec 22, 2011, 11:03 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 22, 2011, 11:03 AM (IST)
Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman during India’s warm-up match against CA Chairman’s XI at Canberra © Getty Images
Melbourne: Dec 22, 2011
Former Australian captain Mark Taylor feels India’s in-form batsmen have not been tested enough in the past few months and they might find the going tough on bouncy pitches here when the Aussies unleash their young pacers during the upcoming Test series.
“They’ve been great players. I’ll be interested to see how they go against this young Australian bowling lineup,” Taylor was quoted as saying by The Australian Associated Press.
“I don’t feel Sachin (Tendulkar), Rahul (Dravid) and VVS (Laxman) are getting tested as often as say Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey have in recent times,” he added.
India’s top order has been in fine form in the past couple of months but the Autralians have been struggling with senior batsman such Ponting and Hussey failing to come up with any big knock in recent weeks.
“They’ve been tested on wickets that are more bowler friendly whereas Sachin, Rahul and VVS play a lot of their cricket in India where the wickets are generally flatter, they don’t bounce as much and don’t move off the seam,” taylor pointed out.
“This will be a good test for them and a good test for our fast bowlers, I reckon they are up to it. I think it’s going to be one of the highlights of the summer to see how those ageing batsmen of India go against the young quicks,” Taylor said.
Taylor backed Ricky Ponting to regain form during the series.
“It’s not that you can’t do it anymore, you just need a moment when a lucky break goes your way and Ricky’s probably that close,” Taylor said.
“And Boxing Day has been pretty good to him.”
Taylor also lauded the selection of opener Ed Cowan for his Test debut after consistent performances at the domestic level.
“I love that selection because he’s demanded that selection,” Taylor said.
“He’s hit something like nine first class hundreds in the last two years, he’s actually said to the selectors “I’m ready to play, give me an opportunity and I’ll make you a hundred.
“He did it in the Chairman’s XI game against India and the Australia A game against New Zealand,” he added. (PTI)
