The Hindu : Dravid keen to get into the thick of action

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 03, 2003

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Sport - Cricket

Dravid keen to get into the thick of action

By Our Sports Reporter

BANGALORE Sept. 2. Fresh from his Scottish sojourns, Rahul Dravid is keen to get back to the middle of competitive cricket.

"It is about eight months since we last played a Test series and this week and the next month is all about getting into the right frame of mind to play Test match cricket,'' Dravid told the media during the course of the preparatory camp for probables at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Tuesday.

Last season, Dravid lent depth and balance to the Indian one-day side by donning the gloves behind the stumps.

On the issue of wicket-keeping, Dravid said, "initially it (wicket-keeping) was meant till the World Cup. At the end of the day a decision will be taken by the team management and the selectors. We will assess it when the situation does arise. We do have a good crop of young keepers. Three of them are at this camp. We are hoping that one of them steps up the plate and does a good job. If they do a good job then we don't need to look at another option. Somewhere along the line if we do need to look at another option, the option need not necessarily be me, it could be someone else.''

Dravid along with Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble comprise a quartet of senior players who are busy discussing the contract-system with the BCCI.

On the latest dialogue with BCCI secretary S.K. Nair here on Monday, Dravid said, "the discussions were positive. The contract system is basically a partnership between the Board and the players. We agreed on a lot of issues. It is just a question of getting the final thing in place. Contract will help both parties. The Board understands that it has to look after the players and the players understand that they have a responsibility to the Board and to Indian cricket.''

Dravid termed his stint with Scotland as an eye-opener. "It was different from playing county cricket. There was a buzz around the place as it was the first time it (Scotland) was competing in the National league. Scotland failed to qualify for the World Cup this time and seeing in that light, its performance in the National league was creditable. Scotland won three to four games and in the matches I played in, we won one and came close to winning a couple of games. It will be critical for Scotland to qualify for the next World Cup to generate and sustain interest. It will be tough as the players practise twice a week and have to compete with teams that practise day in and day out. We are trying to get some structures in place with the help of the ICC's fast-track development programme. Playing for Scotland was indeed an eye-opening experience and helped me appreciate the sacrifices made by amateur cricketers,'' Dravid said.

On the future, Dravid said, "obviously beating Australia in Australia will be great, it will be fantastic. But the whole idea is to compete hard and to try and go out and have some fun at the same time.''

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