Mumbai:
The key to Australia's success against India in the forthcoming Test series lies in getting early wickets through pace and building up pressure on the home team batsmen, pace spearhead Glenn McGrath said today. "It's all a question of building up pressure on the Indian batsmen by taking early wickets. But it is a huge challenge for fast bowlers to bowl in Indian conditions. Experience of bowling on these pitches in the past has given me an idea of what to expect," the bowler told reporters today. "We haven't had much cricket over the last month and a half with rains in Holland and England. Preferably we would have liked some more cricket under our belt which we hope to do in the three-day warm-up game (from September 30 against Mumbai)," he said. McGrath, who missed the entire home series against India last year following an ankle surgery, said he has completely recovered from that and was looking forward to the challenge. "Some people thought I would not be able to make a comeback, but the ankle injury has healed and I am back to bowling close to my best," said the pace ace who has snared 37 wickets in seven Tests against India. Asked whether the Aussies had the best attack at their disposal for this tour, McGrath replied in the affirmative. "This is the best pace attack we have had in years and with Shane (Warne) too back at his best, we will try and build up the pressure on the Indian batsmen," said the bowler who has 440 Test wickets to his credit. McGrath said the likely absence of Sachin Tendulkar at least in the initial part of the series would give the Australian bowlers some advantage. "It's disappointing Tendulkar may not be there. I enjoy bowling to him. Yes, with him away things may get a little bit easier for us though India have a pretty good line up with (Rahul) Dravid, (VVS) Laxman, (Virender) Sehwag and (Sourav) Ganguly," he said. "We would try and get on top of these guys. I love to bowl to Ganguly too and give him some hard time. He loves to play spin more than pace," he added. McGrath said the team would definitely miss the services of captain Ricky Ponting. "Ricky did not have a good tour of India last time. He's keen to do well now. His absence is a big blow. But I think we have others to fill in with experience. Hopefully he will be fit for the third Test (at Nagpur commencing on October 26)," the pace ace said. (PTI)
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