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Dravid, Laxman real class: McGrath

Source: PTI
December 21, 2003 22:20 IST
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India's victory over Australia in the Adelaide Test may be history now, but the media in Australia is still gushing over Rahul Dravid and the team's stupendous fightback in the series.

In a report headlined "The men who do not fear Aussies", The Sunday Telegraph analysed Adelaide hero Dravid's penchant to hit the big ones against the world champions.

The newspaper said: "Rahul Dravid was once asked what motivated him as a cricketer, and his answer gave the ultimate insight into his mindset as one of world's the finest batsmen - 'I want to bat as long as I can for the team'."

It also obtained statistics during the week that show Dravid averages more time at the crease against Australia than any other batsman in world cricket over the past 10 years.

Dravid's innings against Australia averages 154 minutes or two-and-a-half hours.

Injured Australian pace spearhead Glenn McGrath told the paper, "Dravid has been a class player for a long time now and we know his ability better than anyone. Averaging that long at the crease against us is a fair stat."

Over time, McGrath has observed the batsman closely and revealed a plan that could dismiss the prolific batsman cheaply.

"I have seen him getting out nicking early on. He is the type of guy you need to bowl really well to when he first comes in, and build the pressure.

"You have just got to get them in the right area early because I think he is very susceptible to nicking early on. You cannot give him any bad balls or anything to get off strike... just pressure him early in the right spot.

"He is not like the other guys who love scoring off every ball, and there is no real weakness in his game either. He is mentally strong. You have just got to bowl well to him early on because he gets himself really set for a big innings once he is in."

McGrath also rated Laxman, who has more runs against Australia than Sachin Tendulkar from two fewer Tests, as a "real class player, especially when he plays Australia".

"I don't know why he does not do as well against the other countries ... maybe he does not prepare himself as well against other teams as he does against us. You cannot bowl anything at all on his stumps, even off-stump."

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