Paul Harris
Johannesburg: South African spinner Paul Harris is all set to bowl to the man-in-form Sachin Tendulkar during the 3 Test match series, starting 16th of December at the Supersport Park, Centurion.
Harris got Sachin out twice in three innings in the two-Test series in India earlier this year. “It’s a really big thing for me to bowl at Sachin because who would have thought a boy from Kommetjie would bowl against a living legend like Tendulkar, and that too dismiss him.” Harris said. “What’s even better is that I think the score between us is quite even Steven. I’ve got him out a couple of times and he’s scored quite a few runs against me,” he said to the local media.
Harris said his main job would be to contain the big hitters but hoped that the Indian batsmen would go after him and it would increase his chances of taking a wicket. “I’m comfortable in a holding role. If Dale and Albie can get the scalps and win the match then I’m fine with keeping things tight at the other end.”
“In Durban particularly, I’ll have to keep it tight.” Harris said. “The Indian batsmen have done well against spin which means I will probably have to set more defensive set of fields for them. “I wish they attack me. It was very frustrating versus Pakistan when they didn’t play a single shot against me. If they take me on, the probability that I’ll get a wicket increases,” he added.
“Everyone wants the ball to fly past the Indian batsman’s ears because history has it that they fall prey to short deliveries. If we win the toss and bowl them out cheaply, then I’m the hero, but think what could happen if the roles are reversed and they bowl us out cheaply. Then all demand your head and everyone wants to know what went wrong,” quoted SuperSport Park groundsman Hilbert Smith.
“To help this happen, you need to have a lot of grass on the pitch. Then you can have a scenario where in one team is bowled out for 120 odd runs while the other one manages to get 150. Even an average seamer performs world class. That is not what you want,” he said.
Smith said he is preparing a pitch which will offer quite a lot for the bowlers on the first day’s morning. “I’m definitely not going to make a pitch where the match will be over in 3-4 days. But it will be a pitch that will definitely offer something for the bowlers on the first session of day 1.
Tags: Centurion, Cricket, India, Paul Harris, Sachin Tendulkar, South Africa, Spinner, Supersport Park, Test Cricket, Test Series
