Spinner Nathan Hauritz primed for India tour

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Returning Australia spinner Nathan Hauritz regards next month's two-Test series against world No.1India as the biggest challenge of his career. More... Spinner Nathan Hauritz looking forward to Australia's tour of India By Adrian Warren September 16, 2010 . Returning Australia spinner Nathan Hauritz regards next month's two-Test series against world No.1 India as the biggest challenge of his career. However, Hauritz isn't fazed at the prospect of facing India's mighty batting line-up. India currently boasts four of the world's top 13 ranked batsmen in opener Virender Sehwag (2nd), the incomparable Sachin Tendulkar (4th), VVS Laxman (12th) and Gautam Gambir (13th). Throw in veteran Rahul Dravid, who still averages over 50, and match-turning wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni and the Australia attack faces a formidable task. Hauritz, who hasn't played since June due to a foot injury, was excited rather than daunted by the prospect. Asked if it was the biggest test of his career to date, the New South Wales spinner said: "I'd say so definitely. Playing against India in India in those conditions. "The wickets where we are playing are not normally the traditional spin-friendly ones, but (against) Tendulkar and those sort of guys, it will be a great challenge." Hauritz, who dismissed Tendulkar in the only previous Test he played in India, was looking forward to some much needed match practice, after recovering from his injury. The tourists have one tour match before the first of the two Tests. Hauritz emphasised while he was short of match practice he had been keeping fit. "I haven't played in the last two or three months but I have been bowling for the last month, three days a week, but there is nothing like match practice," Hauritz said. The 28-year-old was more concerned about concentrating on his bowling than formulating specific plans for Tendulkar and the rest of India's star-studded batting line-up. "The main thing is to know my game really well," he said. "It's going to be tough enough bowling against those players, but at the end of the day they are human and they do make mistakes." Hauritz was buoyed by his captain Ricky Ponting's recent declaration that he was locked in as Australia's chief spinner for the India tour and the following Ashes series. "It's fantastic to have your captain's backing behind you," Hauritz said. "It's a very tough side to get into, but to be part of it consistently is great." Prior to his injury which cut short his tour with the Australia one-day team in England, Hauritz had established himself as a regular member of Australia's Test and limited overs line-ups. He believed the selectors could pick him and exciting young all-rounder and NSW teammate Steve Smith in the same Test team. AAP