PHOTO: PTI

ROOTING FOR BACK-FOOT PLAY: Rahul Dravid and Greg Chappell agree the tracks in South Africa would encourage stroke-makers.

Mumbai: Captain Rahul Dravid and coach Greg Chappell agreed that the game would be vastly different in South Africa at a pre-departure press conference here on Monday. The Indian team will be playing five One-Day Internationals, a Twenty20 international and three Tests.

Dravid, who made his first Test century (148) 10 years ago at Johannesburg against a bowling attack comprising Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Brian McMillan and Lance Klusener, said it was a matter of adjusting to the bounce and that he would pass on the knowledge he had gained from three visits to South Africa to the younger players.

Dravid said, "Courage and character will be tested on this tour. I have always viewed a tour of South Africa as a great opportunity, a great chance to learn some thing new and to know more about your game. My advice to the youngsters would be to think of the tour as a great opportunity and challenge.''

An advantage

Stating that the stroke-players could turn the wickets there into an advantage, Dravid said: "Rather than thinking of the bounce and seam, I always think of it as a chance to play your shots when the ball comes on to the bat. The slow and low wickets take out your back foot game. In South Africa you can play your pull and cut shots. I would actually view it as a chance to play a lot more shots, be able to trust the bounce.''

Chappell said he preferred to play on pitches that had bounce, but admitted that most teams find it difficult when they go on to different surfaces. "It will be a challenge for us and we are looking forward to it. If we play as well as we can play, we can make a very good series. The recent history of India in South Africa is very good, the World Cup in 2003 in particular.

"But to be fair, against any good bowler and attack you have got to be patient, prepared to spend time at the wicket; otherwise you will not make runs. The critical thing for us is to put the basics together well," said Chappell.

Variation

"Our bowling offers variation and different styles. Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh can exploit the bounce; they would bowl well on seaming wickets anyway. The young fast bowlers will acquit themselves well as they did in the West Indies.

"I am impressed with what Zaheer Khan has done; he's worked hard, got fit and got himself back into the team. We have a blend of right-arm and left-arm, tall bowlers; bowlers who can swing it away from the bat and left-armers who can bring it back. So we have the variety we need to give us a chance to win in all conditions," added Chappell.

Talking about Irfan Pathan, he said, "We have got to remember that he's just 22, and in the last 50 years none who became a super-star was a champion at 22. They were still learning their craft and understanding their game. In fact the young bowling attack helped us win the Test series in the West Indies.''

Experience

Dravid said Kumble would bring in a lot of experience and skill. "His personality is going to be important. We always had Anil at the back of our minds; it was just a question of when exactly we could get him back. This is the right time leading to the World Cup.

"Kumble and Harbhajan are experienced and quality bowlers. They have shown they can bowl well in any condition. If the choice has to be made on picking one, we have to do that and answer the tough questions,'' said Dravid.

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