Bowling wicket-to-wicket was the key: Sammy
November 7th, 2011 - 8:56 pm ICT by IANS
New Delhi, Nov 7 (IANS) West Indies captain Darren Sammy said Monday that bowling tight on a slow and low Ferozeshah Kotla track was the key for their success against the Indian batsmen.
India were bowled out for 209 runs in the first innings of the first Test and at stumps West Indies had a lead of 116 runs after a riveting second day’s play when 17 wickets fell.
“It was not a perfect day but I am happy with the performance of the bowlers. When we played in Bangladesh we encountered similar conditions. We were quite aware of the possibilities of tracks here being low and slow. So we decided to bowl straight, wicket-to-wicket and we got results,” said Sammy, who was the highest wicket-taker with three for 35.
Asked about the pitch conditions, Sammy said: “The pitch is low and slow. But (Shivnarine) Chanderpaul showed us that if we occupy the crease we can score runs on this track.”
Sammy also said that it was deliberate ploy by him to bring back fast bowler Fidel Edwards into the attack when batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar walked in. Edwards trapped Tendulkar leg-before to disappoint the crowd which had turned up at the Kotla in anticipation of the legend’s 100th international century.
“Since coming back, Fidel has been bowling well. He is our strike bowler and when the greatest batsman in the world walks-in why not give your best bowler a chance to go at him. That was the plan and we stuck to it and Fidel was rewarded for his hard work,” he said.
Sammy is confident of his bowlers picking up 20 Indian wickets in the match.
“Over the last year we have bowled out teams. Even during the last series in the West Indies, we bowled out India on more than four occasions. So we believe in our ability and have to go about putting the ball in the right areas. At the end of the day, it is a cricket match and even if you are playing against Sachin you have to put the ball in the right areas,” he said.
Sammy reiterated the team will be playing fearless cricket in the remainder of the game.
“India had a good start. But we kept our cool and pitched the ball in the right areas,” he said.
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- Kotla Test: India in trouble as 17 wickets tumble on 2nd day - Nov 07, 2011
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- Dismissing India's openers early is the key: Edwards - Nov 12, 2011
- Tendulkar puts India on verge of win in Kotla Test (Lead) - Nov 09, 2011
- Ashwin puts India in sight of victory in Kotla Test - Nov 08, 2011
- India struggling against West Indies in first Test (Tea report) - Nov 07, 2011
- Bowlers lacked consistency: WI Coach - May 19, 2012
- Edwards again eyeing Tendulkar's wicket - Nov 12, 2011
- Dravid crosses 13,000-run mark, Tendulkar closer to 100th ton - Nov 24, 2011
- Tendulkar misses landmark century, India 376/6 at lunch - Nov 25, 2011
- India look for series win and Tendulkar's 100th ton at Eden (Preview) - Nov 13, 2011
- Chanderpaul, Brathwaite pull West Indies out of trouble (Roundup) - Nov 06, 2011
- Sammy clear about bowling role in West Indies side - Apr 10, 2012
- What Tendulkar's wicket means to bowlers and captains - Nov 25, 2011
Tags: anticipation, batsman, bowlers, crease, cricket match, fidel edwards, first test, indian batsmen, maestro, New Delhi, perfect day, pitch conditions, ploy, sachin tendulkar, sammy, shivnarine chanderpaul, stumps, west indies, wicket taker, wickets