The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Wasim Jaffer eyeing a big score

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 07, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Wasim Jaffer eyeing a big score

Special Correspondent

Leicester: The Indian opening batsmen have been a major part of the team’s success during the tour of England so far.

The 147 Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik put on in the first innings at Trent Bridge set up the middle order; the 47 they added during the chase ensured there weren’t too many anxious moments.

Moreover, both scored half-centuries at Lord’s. Jaffer, who had a good practice match against Sri Lanka ‘A’ with scores of 48 and 55, spoke, however, of the need to kick on.

In fine nick

“I’m in good form, I got good scores in the Test match and here as well,” said Jaffer.

“But, I have to try and convert this into a big one in the Test. We all know how important the Oval Test is.” Jaffer said the last tour of England, in 2002, had changed him as a cricketer.

Jaffer was dropped after scores of 0 and 5 at Trent Bridge, leading to a four-year break from international cricket.

Matured player

“I was four years younger then, and I matured after that,” said Jaffer. “I went back to domestic cricket, I tried to correct whatever mistakes there were. I’m a better tourist. That tour changed me completely, it made me mature.”

The 29-year-old said the tour game at Grace Road helped India, despite the side being forced to scrap for a draw.

“Our main bowlers got rest, the batsmen got some practice,” he said. “The team is in a good frame of mind.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail