Irfan, Zaheer, Ashish, Balaji world-class: Gillespie
Indo-Asian News Service
Jaipur, April 24, 2005
The Indian pace quartet of Irfan Pathan, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra and Lakshmipathi Balaji are as good as anyone in the world, Australian quickie Jason Gillespie says.
“Irfan, Zaheer and Ashish, and also Balaji, are world-class bowlers,” Gillespie, who was in Jaipur to promote an Australian beer, said.
Gillespie, however, lamented that the Indian pacers had been a trifle sidelined due to the overemphasis on spin.
Speaking about his good performances against Sachin Tendulkar, Gillespie said he was lucky to have taken his wicket on a number of occasions.
“Whenever you go and bowl to a top batsmen like Sachin, you go with a plan that is drawn by the team coach and captain. I am happy to have taken the wicket of Tendulkar many times in the series in India (earlier this year),” Gillespie said.
As for the sub-continental wickets, Gillespie said a fast bowler had to be patient here if he wanted to succeed.
Gillespie felt Australian dominance in world cricket would continue for a while.
“We would like Australian dominance to remain for some years to come. I feel the team will continue to maintain its top position because of talented and professional youngsters who are knocking the doors with their brilliant performances,” he contended.
Gillespie has played only 52 out of a possible 92 tests since his 1996-97 debut thanks to an assortment of ailments — busted feet, stress fractures in the back, hip twinges, side strains, curved shoulders, torn calves, aching hamstrings, groin complaints and a broken right leg.
Through it all, in partnership with Glenn McGrath, he has blossomed into one half of Australia’s most statistically successful opening attack ever.
“Injuries have been a problem for me. Because of which I had to shorten my run up but it has not affected my performance,” he maintained.
“In fact, due to a shortened run up, my length and line has improved and I am able to bowl long spells,” Gillespie said.
The 29-year-old Gillespie prefers to spend time with his family when he is not playing cricket.
“I love to spend time with the family whenever I am not playing cricket,” he said. He also likes to watch wrestling and to listen to heavy metal.
No friends, this is not another comical article by Green Aadmi, Gillespie actually said that.
It looks like poor Gillespie was watching wrestling when Afridi was eating the Indian seamers for Chicken Tikka last week.
Seriously! do Aussies really have to lie to the Indian media to get those advertisement deals in India to make some extra cash.
@ world class…