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Kirsten impressed with bowlers ahead of Oz series
Irani Cup gave Gary Kirsten a chance to find out if he has the right ammunition to blow away Australia's redoubtable batting line-up in the upcoming series
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: October 01, 2008 01:54 PM IST
Read Time:2 min
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"Barring (last minute) injuries, the bowling unit looks in good shape," Kirsten said after Rest of India beat Delhi to lift the Irani Cup on Saturday.
For the winners, Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel were among wickets, while Ishant Sharma stood out for Delhi with his hostile spells. Among the spinners, both Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh made their mark and Kirsten said he was happy with their intensity.
"I'm very happy with the way they went about their business. All of them looked in good form here and they were hitting the right areas. I'm also happy with the great intensity they showed here and they should feel confident.
"We still have 12 days before the first Test against Australia and we have to make sure that our preparation is right up there," Kirsten said.
The South African said Irani Cup proved a good dress rehearsal for the Australia series and the players need to carry the momentum.
"It was good match practice, the ideal simulation you can have. Australia are a competitive side, very organised. We have to maintain our focus and play good, positive cricket. We need to continue the momentum there," he said.
Kirsten refused to comment on the spat between Virender Sehwag and Munaf Patel, saying, "Match officials are taking care of that. We need to maintain our focus for the exciting series against Australia."
Kirsten donned the pads and gloves after the match and batted against Anil Kumble and Chetanya Nanda and had a word of praise for the Delhi leggie, who grabbed eight wickets in the match.
"He looks a good bowler and bowls a consistent line and length. He has got good pace as well. It was a great opportunity for him to bowl against some of the best batsmen and he impressed," Kirsten said.
Irani Cup gave Gary Kirsten a chance to find out if he has the right ammunition to blow away Australia's redoubtable batting line-up in the upcoming Test series and the India coach says from whatever he saw over the last four days, he has no reason to be worried."Barring (last minute) injuries, the bowling unit looks in good shape," Kirsten said after Rest of India beat Delhi to lift the Irani Cup on Saturday.
For the winners, Zaheer Khan and Munaf Patel were among wickets, while Ishant Sharma stood out for Delhi with his hostile spells. Among the spinners, both Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh made their mark and Kirsten said he was happy with their intensity.
"I'm very happy with the way they went about their business. All of them looked in good form here and they were hitting the right areas. I'm also happy with the great intensity they showed here and they should feel confident.
"We still have 12 days before the first Test against Australia and we have to make sure that our preparation is right up there," Kirsten said.
The South African said Irani Cup proved a good dress rehearsal for the Australia series and the players need to carry the momentum.
"It was good match practice, the ideal simulation you can have. Australia are a competitive side, very organised. We have to maintain our focus and play good, positive cricket. We need to continue the momentum there," he said.
Kirsten refused to comment on the spat between Virender Sehwag and Munaf Patel, saying, "Match officials are taking care of that. We need to maintain our focus for the exciting series against Australia."
Kirsten donned the pads and gloves after the match and batted against Anil Kumble and Chetanya Nanda and had a word of praise for the Delhi leggie, who grabbed eight wickets in the match.
"He looks a good bowler and bowls a consistent line and length. He has got good pace as well. It was a great opportunity for him to bowl against some of the best batsmen and he impressed," Kirsten said.
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