The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : We are very hungry to win series: Wright

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 02, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

We are very hungry to win series: Wright

By Amitabha Das Sharma

KOLKATA, DEC. 1. Indian coach John Wright feels that the "hunger" of his players will decide the fate of the second Test against South Africa.

Speaking after the conclusion of the fourth day's play, Wright said, "the win is up to us now. We need to have a good first hour on the final day to turn the situation in our favour. We are certainly very hungry to win the series.''

Wright said the objective was to get the visitor out as soon as possible and make it easy for the batsmen to get the required runs. Without pinpointing a target, he said, "any score is chaseable. We have to get them out fast and that's the first target now.''

When asked about India's slow progress, he said that the team aimed at a particular score. "Sourav (Ganguly) wanted to speed up, but we all looked to a 100-run lead. I thought we had time for that and completed it.''

Regarding the Indian players' appealing in South Africa's second innings, the coach said there was no excessive appealing but felt that the players could have shown more control during certain periods.

"No, there was no excessive appealing. Personally I like to see passion in the team but there were some occasions when we were putting a bit of emotion and that has to be controlled,'' Wright said.

Ntini unruffled

South African fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, commenting about the final day, said: "I am looking forward to the last day. Whatever happens, we will take control and we will save the match.'' The speedster, who looked unruffled, whistled and cracked jokes.

Ntini said, "tomorrow is a new day. Everyone will come to the field with fresh minds and go about their business with renewed vigour. We are all positive and looking to turn things in our favour.''

He felt that the fourth day of a Test match was the most difficult for any visiting side and since South Africa had handled this challenge well, it will launch a fresh offensive.

"South Africa will come back on the final day and hopefully bat on to reach a good total,'' Ntini said.

Reflecting on the tour, he said: "South African wickets favour the seamers and we came here prepared for some turners, but things have worked well so far and there has been nothing negative.''

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