Ind tour of Eng - Zak begins the mind games

[achilles]

THE MIND GAMES BEGIN ‘A guy who wants to come and face a particular bowler who he knows is troubling him is in itself a sign. I feel that as a captain it is not a positive move for someone who is going to lead England' Zaheer Reminds England Of Jelly Bean Saga Somerset: The pre-series banter has started with India pace spearhead Zaheer Khan saying English skipper Andrew Strauss’ decision to play for Somerset in a practice match highlighted the “element of doubt†in his mind. “The fact that Andrew Strauss is here playing in this practice game says it all. There is definitely that element of doubt in his mind and he has given me that edge now going into the series,†Zaheer was quoted as saying by the ‘Daily Mirror’. “A guy who wants to come and face a particular bowler who he knows is troubling him is in itself a sign. I feel that as a captain it is not a positive move for someone who is going to lead England. “He has shown the opponent exactly what it is he is thinking. It has been a good contest between us and as a bowler I’ve always felt that if I can provide that early breakthrough it definitely puts the team in the driving seat. so that is my aim on this tour as well,†he added. Strauss made 78 on the opening day of the three-day match between the touring Indians and Somerset yesterday. Talking about the series, Zaheer rejected talk that India were under pressure to prove their status as the world No. 1 Test team. “There is no burden on our team to prove anything. If we play good cricket we will win matches and then everything else will take care of itself,†he reasoned. “I’ve got confidence from the previous tours I’ve had here as well as the county season I played, which makes me familiar with conditions,†Zaheer added. The Indian pace spearhead said he enjoys bowling in English conditions and expects to do well in the Test series starting July 21 at the Lord’s. “I’ve always enjoyed playing here, the conditions are good for my kind of bowling. Whenever the weather is good it definitely provides that little bit extra for the seamers, which I really enjoy. “This year I’m also looking to do the same thing as in 2007, I will use this practice game to get my body going and get into the zone, then carry on from there,†he said. On whether the series would also be about verbal volleys, Zaheer said, “in the last series you could see how hurt they were when the whole jelly bean thing happened because they lost the series.†“It is up to them how far they want to push it and whether they want to cross the line or not. I am very clear, I want to play the game in the right spirit and I don’t think by doing that they had shown the right spirit of the game,†he added. “I want to fight hard on the field and that is the way I will be playing it in this series as well. As a bowler I’m very confident and the way things are panning out, it will be a big series and we’re looking forward to the contest.†PTI ...While Hosts Get Backing From Mr. Bean London: Australian spin legend Shane Warne foresees England beating India 1-0 in the upcoming four-Test series as he feels Andrew Strauss’ men will manage to do just enough to upstage their world number one rivals. Warne said England are a good side capable of coming out triumphant against Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men in the series starting July 21 but the hosts would do their reputation some good by being more attacking in their approach. “It is important England nail teams if they get them on the ropes. Make it more entertaining and be more aggressive. If you do that then it is fun for the players and that comes across to crowd. To summarise I think we all believe England are a good side. They have variety in their attack,†Warne told ‘Daily Telegraph’. “They have great top order batting, for them to make next step and stay there it will be about how they play the game. If they just stick to process and wear oppositions down they will not win series by whitewashes. They are just going to do enough and win 1-0. Strauss needs to put them in a situation where it is win at all costs,†he added. Former England captain Michael Vaughan agreed and said explosive batsman Kevin Pietersen will have a huge role to play in making the series engrossing. “His Test form is not a massive worry. In an x-factor series against India, which will bring big crowds and a buzz, I think he will perform,†he said. Warne said England have the requisite balance in their team. “If you put (Ian) Bell in form, (Alastair) Cook, (Jonathan) Trott, Strauss, Pietersen with the x-factor and (Eoin) Morgan’s variety together then suddenly you have got a hell of a top six,†Warne said. “Throw in Chris Tremlett with his height and steep bounce, James Anderson’s skill of swinging the ball and Graeme Swann as the best spinner in the game and it all looks good. England just need to find the right person to fit in the third seamer’s role and then there will be no weak spot in the team,†he said. Vaughan compared India with Australia and said like the former world champions, Dhoni’s men will also soon be in a transitional phase after greats such as Sachin Tendulkar retire. “We are not playing in an era when we have a great team like Australia who have dominated for so long. They were so much better than the rest of the world. India are a good team but you can certainly see England within a year or so getting there,†he explained. “Don’t forget India are going to have to go through a transition soon. They are going to lose players like Australia did and England have their first opportunity to be number one and staying there. That will be the hardest thing — staying there,†he said. Source - TOI Epaper

[Sid]

Zak usually backs up his words with performances.

[achilles]

Yes. Lets hope he can do something in these conditions. Or else, the world will laugh on him, like we laugh on Umar Gul :P

[WC2011INDIA]

One should never utter such words before a competition. It could come back to haunt you.

[achilles]

^ Exactly. He can use whatever words he wants to post the series

[Cricket Tragic]

The bowlers really need to pick up their game and deliver in atleast 2 tests.

[vvvslaxman]

Zak is a different beast in real match situation. Don't under-estimate him based on somerset outing.

[CSK Fan]

Hmm, previously it used to be teams like England who used to start this sort of stuff and we used to reply on the field

[Karan114]

Hmm' date=' previously it used to be teams like England who used to start this sort of stuff and we used to reply on the field[/quote'] Have to agree. Zaheer is an excellent bowler who usually lets his performances do the talking...this wasn't really necessary from him.

[deepak_sach]

Have to agree. Zaheer is an excellent bowler who usually lets his performances do the talking...this wasn't really necessary from him.

Haha !who wants to see the duckhead strauss and blond baby sledging?

[Sachinism]

I worry Zak won't last the tour