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Siddle and Bollinger hope to make a mark

V.V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD: Peter Siddle, the 23-year-old fast bowler from Victoria, is chasing a dream. This rookie fast bowler named in the Australian squad to take on India in the four-match Test series next month, says that few things can be as good in life as scalping Indian batting genius Sachin Tendulkar as his maiden Test wicket.

Siddle along with the 27-year-old left-arm fast bowler Doug Bollinger are the two members of the Australia ‘A’ team, who were picked for national duty.

The duo is now in Hyderabad. The other two — leg-spinner Bryce McGain and captain Simon Katich — flew back to Australia on Thursday night to join the national team’s preparations.

Decisive moment

Siddle says he is excited about being given the opportunity to play for Australia.

“This national call is perhaps the most decisive moment of my career. I am ready for the challenge and will make the most of the opportunities that come my way,” he said here on Friday. The fast bowler, trained by Merv Hughes, says he is aware that the pitches will be much flatter and in India one has to bowl a fuller length to deny the home team batsmen a chance to go on the back-foot and play their strokes.

“You have to patient to pick up wickets here in India. And I will try to do just that.”

Siddle doesn’t want to look too far beyond the series here next month. “I don’t know what is in store for me. But the first objective is to perform consistently here,” he said .

Big challenge

Bollinger like Siddle believes that it will be a big challenge to bowl here in totally different conditions.

Bollinger says that it is always an exciting feeling to be a member of the national team and more so to be involved in a series in India.

“As a cricketer you must adapt yourself to the given conditions,” said Bollinger, with two hat-tricks in domestic cricket to back him.

“I don’t believe that it should be a make or break trip for me personally. I will try to make something out of it and look for a long stint with the Australian team. I will try to stay focussed and get the best possible results,” he said.

“Essentially, we have to enjoy the challenge while putting in our best efforts,” Bollinger added.

The idols

He says that three fast bowling greats — Glen McGrath, Allan Donald and Wasim Akram — had the biggest influence on his career.

“It has been fantastic to watch them in action and in the process pick up some finer aspects of fast bowling,” Bollinger said.

Fantastic side

“The Australian team in the last 10 years was a fantastic side. It was difficult to think of getting a chance then. But now, due to the transition phase, bowlers like me can get a break,” he explained.

“The wickets might spin more here than in Australia. So, it is important to keep taking wickets. You have to keep proving yourself in order to be successful in this Australian side,” he said.

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