The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : `Sreesanth toughest to face'

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Tuesday, Jan 02, 2007
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`Sreesanth toughest to face'

Special Correspondent

Cape Town: South Africa's in-form batsman Ashwell Prince named S. Sreesanth as the toughest bowler to face in the Indian attack.

"He tests the right-hander with out-swingers. He poses a challenge to the left-handers as well. The ball holds its line as it travels across. His seam position is excellent," said Prince, here, on Monday.

The left-handed Prince, who made a near hundred in the first Test and a match-winning century in the second, said, "I am the batsman in form so I have to take responsibility when wickets fall around me. There will be days when I would not be in form, and some other could do the same role. You have to play for the team."

Prince, who lives in Cape Town, admitted that it has been easier for the batsmen after the first 30 overs in this series. "The ball becomes softer and does a lot less."

He also spoke about curbing his stroke-making instincts in Tests. "I hate to get out to a poor shot. I have tightened my game."

Harris may play

Left-arm spinner Paul Harris, who could play his first Test on Tuesday, said, "My role will be different in different innings. I will look to bowl tight in the first innings. In the second, I will attack more."

Harris has a high regard for the Indian line-up and said, "Rahul Dravid is a special player." He added quickly, "I will not worry about what they can do but think about how I bowl at them. You expect the wicket here to assist turn at some stage."

Dravid said earlier that some his teammates had seen Harris bowl in county cricket. "They tell me that he is quite good."

On left-arm spinner Nickey Boje's remarks about selection in South Africa while announcing his retirement from international cricket, Harris said, "Those are his views. I don't have anything to say on this."

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