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Probably the hottest conditions ever: Amla

Sports Reporter

— Photo: K. Pichumani

SAPPING CONDITIONS: If the players found it tough, the on-field umpires too weren’t spared. Here Asad Rauf takes a breather during a drinks break.

Chennai: As Neil McKenzie did on Wednesday, Hashim Amla acknowledged the support he got from the wicket, for a well-made 159. “I think the credit must go to the wicket. It’s a good wicket to bat on, but probably it’s the hottest conditions I have ever played under. Probably the most difficult challenge yet.”

The South African of Indian origin has been a consistent performer, after spending a year away from the team after being dropped. “I take a lot of confidence out of this. For me it’s the first century away from home and it’s a huge bonus for me. Something I was always determined to try and achieve that and am glad it happened in the first Test.”

The wicket, he said, would be different in the days to come. “The wicket didn’t turn a hell of a lot, so obviously spinners won’t be as effective. At the end of the day it’s up to you to play each ball on its merit. And I am sure it will be a different ball game in the second innings, certainly day four and five.

Making inroads

“We were hoping to get one or two wickets just to make inroads into the Indian side. But tomorrow is another day, we are playing it as it comes and hopefully we will make some dent in their batting line up,” he added. India’s opening batsman Virender Sehwag said batting for the visitors would be hard in the second innings. “We will try to bat for around two days and look to put them in on the final day. We will look to get a lead of around 50-100 runs and put pressure on them.

“If we get close to their first innings total, then it will be difficult for them because batting will not be easy on the fifth day. Everyone knows that the Chennai wicket spins and there is bounce, so it will be difficult to bat against Harbhajan and Kumble.”

Sehwag defended the Indian bowlers and fielders, saying that maintaining the intensity was difficult. “I think maybe because of the heat and the flat wicket. There was nothing for the bowlers, but still they worked hard for the wickets. So it happens sometimes but we will work on it in the second innings.

“It is not an easy wicket to bowl on. We planned to be patient because whenever you play in India you always expect to bowl out the opposition as early as possible because Kumble and Harbhajan are bowling. But it is not as easy always especially when the pitch is so flat. I think Harbhajan and Kumble deserve praise.”

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