SPORTS

Langer joins in the mind games

By Ashish Shukla
December 02, 2003 14:16 IST
Left-handed opener Justin Langer is visualising the opening over of the 2003 World Cup final and wants Australia to get going in a similar way against India in the first Test which starts at Gabba here on Thursday.

"I would definitely like to see the first over of the World Cup final," said Langer. "Zaheer Khan came up all pumped up and aggression but within six balls, the momentum of the game had turned our way."

Indians were blown away in that match this March by the Aussies after Adam Gilchrist took 15 runs off Zaheer Khan's opening over, a method Australia seem to have tried in every subsequent encounter against India.

But fast bowler Jason Gillespie, returning to the squad after an injury lay-off, is looking at different reasons to motivate himself for the series ahead.

"The loss in the Madras Test (2001 series) was very disappointing. It will act as a motivation. So we are going to try our best to win," said Gillespie, looking lean and mean with a scraggly beard.

"It was very disappointing but the sun still came out the next day," he recalled the series in which India, after losing the Mumbai Test, rallied superbly to win at Kolkata and Chennai.

Langer though was not dismissive of the Indian attack and felt the bowlers could deliver, provided they got their line and length right.

"The feeling about their pace attack is they lack a bit of experience. But (spinners) Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh are world-class bowlers. You only have to look at their records. Kumble is a great bowler and we don't use that word lightly," Langer said.

"It's a good, young, talented side and have players who could come up under any conditions. You have got to be on your toes to make it competitive," he said.

Gillespie too agreed with the assessment and felt India could be a competitive side this summer.

"They don't depend on Tendulkar alone. I think they have got some quality players. Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag are all very good players.

"In bowling they have got a couple of very good bowlers.  Ajit Agarkar has been bowling well in one-dayers. Zaheer and Ashish Nehra are very good too."

Gillespie

did not make too much of India's struggle in the two side games of the tour and expected the visitors to be a tough outfit in the first Test.

"You can't really judge players on a couple of practice games. They are just here to spend a bit of time on the field, having a bit of a bowl and a bit of a hit."

"We have our work cut out and got to play very well to win," he said.

Langer, who has built up an awesome batting reputation along with Matthew Hayden as probably the world's best opening pair, said he is looking to build up "longevity" with his Queensland partner.

"I remember (coach) John Buchanan telling us in the past that the mark of a champion is longevity. It is the same with we openers. We are looking for longevity," Langer said.

Hayden hit big league when he smashed the world record score of 380 against Zimbabwe in Perth and that knock has worked as an extra motivation for Langer.

"We have done well for three years now. The key for us has been good body language and aggression. There is absolutely no reason why we should change it," Langer said.

"I've enjoyed every moment of opening the innings with Hayden - walking out to bat with him, the first minute of the game and building up a good stand - all acts as a spur for me," he said.

Langer and Hayden have set a world record by posting five stands of 200 or more in Tests eclipsing the great West Indian pair of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes who had shared four stands of over 200 runs.

Langer felt the grass at the Gabba wicket would act as a psychological advantage for Australia though the wicket could turn out to be good for batting later on in the game.

"Looking at the grass on the wicket, it will work as a psychological advantage for Australia since Indians are not used to seeing such conditions. But if a team can work hard in the first 20 overs, it could be a great place to bat," he said.

Gillespie did not offer his view on the wicket but said it would be great if they get a green wicket for the first Test. "I never look at the wicket before the game. To me, it's just that I would be bowling on it anyway, but it's always good to bowl on a green top."

Ashish Shukla
Source: REUTERS
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