Thaindian News

Chennai, Dec 12 (IANS) Indian cricket coach Duncan Fletcher Monday asserted that India must not get complacent in the Test series down under and should not read much into Australia’s inconsistent run in their recent series against New Zealand and South Africa.

Fletcher, speaking at the pre-tour press conference here alongside Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was addressing questions after Australia’s shock defeat to New Zealand in the second Test in Hobart.

Fletcher said India needed to be wary of Australia and complacency would not be good for his team going into the important tour.

“If we are in complacent attitude before going there, it is not good for the team. It is important that we go there with the feelings that they have the best of bowling attack and good batsmen in their rank. We’ve got to be very wary and put up right kind of performances,” said Fletcher of the team who have been inconsistent in the recent past.

Australia collapsed to 233 all out from 159 for two to lose the second Test Monday and let New Zealand level the two-match series.

When asked about Australia’s bowling attack, Fletcher said: “We will have to make the decision after we play them. Then we can tell you whether they are the weakest.”

On his side’s bowling line-up, Fletcher observed that seamer Zaheer Khan, who has been included in the squad but is subject to his fitness, looked impressive at the nets and the two side-games prior to the first Test in Melbourne would provide a more accurate update on his fitness.

“From the reports that I get, Zaheer had come to Mumbai and bowled at the nets there and he looked impressive. I think it is very important that he looked to be in very good condition from what we saw in him even when he came to England.

“Secondly, he has got these two games (warm-ups). It will be preparation for him. We do not want to rush him too quickly. The one three-day game there (in Australia) will be important for him before the first Test,” the coach said.

The Indians are scheduled to play a two-day warm-up game in Canberra Dec 15-16 followed by another match at the same venue Dec 19-21, both against Cricket Australia Chairman’s XI, and four back-to-back Tests at Melbourne (Dec 26-30), Sydney (Jan 3-7), Perth (Jan 13-17) and Adelaide (Jan 24-28).