The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Learn from India's success, says Woolmer

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 29, 2006
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Learn from India's success, says Woolmer

Karachi: India's victory in the first Test in Johannesburg is a good example for Pakistan to emulate, as it exposes the South African team's frailities and proves they can be beaten at home, coach Bob Woolmer has said.

``The result in Johannesburg is a good example since it shows South Africans can be bowled out, and secondly they can be beaten at home,'' Woolmer said.

``I believe that the Wanderers pitch backfired on the tactics that the Proteas wanted to employ. In fact, it allowed India to expose the technical frailties in the South African line-up,'' he was quoted as saying by The Dawn.

``However, knowing the South Africans as I do. I do think they will come back strongly in the remaining Tests against India,'' said the former South African coach, who is currently in Cape town on Christmas vacations while Pakistani players attend a conditioning camp in Lahore before the tour.

The litmus test

The Pakistan is set to begin its tour of South Africa early next month and Woolmer's critics have dubbed it as the acid test for him as they point out Pakistan has never won a Test series there.

Woolmer, however, said even if the series would be a rough ride for Pakistan, it would serve as ideal preparation for the World Cup.

The coach said he was confident of his pace attack even if fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar did not make the squad for the tour.

Shoaib and Asif have been cleared of a doping offence by Pakistan Cricket Board-appointed appeals panel and had their bans overturned earlier this month but WADA has challenged the decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sports.

Shoaib remains doubtful after failing to impress national selectors in domestic cricket but indications were that Asif could make the squad to be announced on Friday.

``If Shoaib and Asif were not allowed to proceed to South Africa by the World Anti-Doping Agency, Pakistan would still be resourceful in its bowling with Shabbir Ahmed available again and Umar Gul, Shahid Nazir and Mohammad Sami doing well,'' Woolmer said.

``I have no information as regards WADA's actions. I have been led to understand the legalities of the first tribunal were incorrect as regards the testing and sentencing. If WADA are questioning this breach of law then I am in no position to answer the questions on this issue,'' he added.

Woolmer praised the comeback performances of pacer Rana Naved ul-Hasan. ``Naved's form was exceptional against the West Indies. And it was nice to see this really great guy doing so well against the West Indies in the ODIs.'' — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport