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England captain Nasser Hussain may have cockily told the Indians to stop “bragging”, but his bowlers know what they are up against when they take on India in the ICC Champions Trophy on Sunday.
Whoever wins the India-England tie would go on to qualify for the semi-finals.
CricketNext.com spoke to the England bowling line-up on who they fear most while bowling when up against India. They should know a thing or two about the Indian batsmen, having suffered at their hands for the better part of the English summer.
Matthew Hoggard, who is rising steadily to become England’s trump card, said, “This Indian batting line-up is awesome. Sachin Tendulkar is the best in the world by a mile, there’s Virender Sehwag who is destructive, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman make it look so simple while drubbing you, but it’s Rahul Dravid for me.”
According to Hoggard, “Dravid was carrying the broadest of bat in his kit… at least that’s what I thought because he just won’t get out back in England.”
Fellow paceman Andrew Caddick could only nod his head in agreement. “Except Dravid, the rest of the Indian batting line-up is filled with flashy stroke-players and that’s a good sign if you are a bowler. They will put you to the boundaries but then, they would give you chances as well. But this feller Dravid… he’s like a rock,” said Caddick.
Hoggard said it was his technique that would put a bowler off. “He covers the swing beautifully and the bat is always straight. You’d be happy if you manage to even beat him, he was in such a great touch throughout. I mean Tendulkar would reduce to a state where you won’t know what’s hit you but this guy will grind you to dust.”
Paceman Dominic Cork was in complete agreement with his colleagues. “I would prefer to bowl to Tendulkar any day but Dravid is a different proposition. He just bats on and on and on. After a while, Tendulkar would try and dominate but Dravid is so patient, he will bat for ten days if possible,” he said.
Ashley Giles, the left-arm spinner, has no qualms in admitting Dravid played him the best. “Among all the Indian players, Dravid played me the best because I bowled to him the most. He just didn’t get out,” he said as a matter of fact. “He can take a lot of pride from his performance. I have no doubt in my mind he’s one of the world’s premier batsman right now.”
Giles went on to say, “I would still say Tendulkar is the best, better than Dravid in terms of talent. But if I have to choose between the two regarding whom to bowl, I would prefer Tendulkar.”
Said Caddick, “As far as the England bowling line-up is concerned, he is the most prized wicket of them all. Hopefully, he won’t get too many here against us.
I don’t think there are many bowlers in the world who would relish bowling to Dravid at this point in time. He is in awesome form.