Jaffer aiming for consistency

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Wasim Jaffer, who last played a Test for India in 2002, said he is honoured to be back in the team and will try and focus on consistency to cement a place in it.

"I am honoured to be back in the team. The three and half years were very tough. It's nice to be back. Whenever I get a chance I will look to do well," the Indian opener told reporters after play on day 3 in Nagpur on Friday.

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He said he would focus on getting some big scores. Before this Test, he played seven Tests, scoring 261 runs at 20.07. Only thrice in 13 innings, did he cross the 50-run mark and was promptly dropped after an inconsistent run in England in 2002 till he made a comeback this time after yet another consistent domestic season.

"The last time I was picked in the team I was not consistent. But this time I will focus on consistency," he said.

Jaffer, who has scored 8860 runs in first class matches at 51.81, with a highest score of 314 not out, said he is hoping to carry the excellent domestic form to the international arena.

The Mumbai batsman said the team was looking to bat the whole day on day 3, but their plans were foiled by Matthew Hoggard's brilliant swing bowling.

"It was important for us to bat the whole day to get the upper hand in the Test. But it was disappointing that we lost five wickets in the first session."

He said Hoggard, who took 5 for 57, got just reward for consistency.

"Hoggard bowled really well. He bowled in the right areas. The ball was reverse swinging a bit and he put it in the right areas and got the results," the Mumbai opener said.

The 28-year-old scored 81, inclusive of 15 boundaries, adding 129 runs for the second wicket with Rahul Dravid, before he was caught in the slips off Hoggard.

"I saw the ball and I thought it looked like a half volley. But it wasn't there," he said.

He said England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar bowled well and kept the pressure on the batsmen.

"Monty bowled really well. As you can see most of his overs were maidens. He got the important wickets of Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Kaif.

"He is playing in his first Test, but he bowled pretty well. The fast bowlers were bowling well and it was important to keep the pressure from the other end, which he did," Jaffer said.

He also supported Hoggard's view that the overnight rain did not affect the pitch at all.

Further, he added that the quick dismissals of Kaif and Kumble near the end of the day's play had pegged India back.

"The way Kaif and Kumble batted was inspiring. If they would have batted till the end, it would have been better for us."