The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Laxman would be a big factor: Dravid

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Thursday, Jul 19, 2007
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Laxman would be a big factor: Dravid

S. Ram Mahesh

London: Ahead of the first Test at Lord’s, Indian captain Rahul Dravid said execution would separate the two teams, evenly-matched on paper.

“I don’t think experience counts for much,” said Dravid. “Everyone starts on zero; the team that performs during the course of this Test match will win this.”

Could India capitalise on an English side weakened by injury? “We have a young, inexperienced bowling attack as well,” said Dravid. “Look, I think whoever England puts on the park will be good and will be competitive. But, we are not focussing so much on the England side. We are focussing on our side, our strengths and how we can capitalise on it.”

R.P. Singh likely to play

Dravid said he hadn’t decided on the playing eleven, but confirmed V.V.S. Laxman “was in position” and would be a “big factor” in the series. He also hinted that M.S. Dhoni would keep his spot and R.P. Singh would be the third seamer.

Jaffer, he said, could go through phases when he looked like he struggled, but his ability to “come up with a brilliant knock” went in his favour.

Dravid dismissed the view — presented to him by a journalist — that he had been the mainstay of Indian batting abroad.

“Everyone who is here has earned the reputation through weight of runs, it’s not just been given to them,” he said.

“I’ve made a contribution but so have other people. No team can win with one player performing. One player can have a significant impact on a game, but you need twenty wickets. The bowlers make a huge impact in winning Test matches.”

Asked about Sachin Tendulkar’s decline, Dravid said it was impossible to play at the same level over 17 years. The signs in Ireland and in the tour games were good, said Dravid, adding “there shouldn’t be any immediate concerns about Sachin’s form.”

A challenge

Dravid’s counterpart, Michael Vaughan, said bowling to the Indian batting would be a challenge.

“The Indian batting is full of experience, so it’s going to be an exciting challenge for our young four-man attack to try to outdo them and get 20 wickets in a Test match,” said Vaughan.

“Of course, inexperience is new but it’s exciting. We don’t have Harmison, Flintoff, Ashley Giles and Simon Jones from that great attack we had in 2005 (when England won the Ashes) but it’s new, it’s very exciting for us all to see how they (the new attack) react to playing in front of a lot of people and against a very good batting team.”

On his exceptional batting record at Lord’s — five centuries in nine Tests — Vaughan said, “I always feel like I play quite well at Lord’s, but tomorrow (Thursday) is a new day.”

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