Kolkata: Hoping that the Eden Gardens pitch would ‘have something for all’, England pacer Steve Finn yesterday batted for fellow pacer Stuart Broad whose lacklustre form has been ‘an issue’ for the English team ahead of their Test against India beginning tomorrow.
“He (Broad) is an exceptional bowler. He has had a tough time before with injuries. He has played 50-odd Test matches and knows he will come back. He is not many-a-miles away from where he wants to be. We are confident of him doing well here,” Finn said.
Broad failed to take a single wicket against India in the first two Tests and his bowling form has been described by bowling coach David Saker as “an issue which England needs to confront”.
Finn, who bowled six overs at the nets yesterday, hoped the pitch for the Test would be similar to the practice wicket which offered something for all.
“The practice wicket has been playing very true, very well. If that is any reflection then I think it (match wicket) would be a good wicket with spin later on.
“The practice wicket played well with little bit of help for everybody I suppose. Hopefully, the Test wicket will too have something for everybody and will take turn as the game goes on,” he said.
Admitting subcontinent pitches were a challenge for pacers, Finn said the fast bowlers will have a role to play in the match.
“May be as a pacer I am frustrated with spinners hogging the limelight. But then our spinners took 19 wickets in the last Test and rightly there is all talk about spin.
“But fast bowlers do have a role to play. World class pacers have come here and taken wickets. They find out ways of taking wickets. In these condition pacers are underrated,” he said.
“Indian pacers did well picking up wickets at important times. Seamers will have a role to play. They can use the reverse swing, or may be bowl in short bursts. We have experience on playing on these surfaces and hope to use them in the match,” added Finn. IANS
Australia’s Ponting a ‘true legend’, says ICC
DUBAI: Ricky Ponting is “one of the true legends of the sport” the International Cricket Council (ICC) said of the former Australia captain who ended his Test career yesterday.
Ponting, 37, was the most successful Test captain in the history of the sport. He played in 168 tests and 375 one-day internationals for Australia and won the ICC World Cup three times, twice as skipper.
“His contribution to the international game has been immense and quite rightly he will be remembered as one of the true legends of the sport,” ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said in a statement.
“Ricky was a team man but along the way collected many personal accolades and is the only player to have won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Cricketer of the Year at the LG ICC Awards for two years in succession (2006 and 2007).
“We wish him well in the next stage of his career and look forward to his ongoing involvement in the game beyond the boundary,” Richardson said.
Ponting was out for eight against South Africa in his final Test innings as Australia suffered a 309-run defeat in Perth.
However, he finished his 17-year career as the second highest Test run scorer behind India’s Sachin Tendulkar with 13,378 runs at an average of 51.85. AGENCIES
