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Aussies turn to spin legend Bedi

Sports Reporter

— Photo: S. Subramanium

MASTER CLASS: Australia’s Cameron White gets a few tips from spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi.

NEW DELHI: The lack of a quality spinner in the side has badly affected Australia on its current tour of India and the visiting team has now roped in the services of Indian spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi to sharpen the skills of its spinners

Stung by the big defeat in the second Test at Mohali, the Aussie team management sought the help of Bedi and the former Indian captain obliged the tourists. Bedi was busy on Sunday helping out spinners like offie Jason Krejza, leg-spinner Cameron White and part-time spinner Simon Katich with valuable tips as the Australian team went through a practice session at the Ferozeshah Kotla.

Krejza benefits

Bedi spent more time with Krejza explaining him the importance of flight, loop and landing the ball on the seam. He also shared a few minutes with White sharing his ideas on flight and hitting the right areas.

Bedi, who was approached by the Aussies at a function at the Australian embassy here on Saturday, however, did not go much into the details of the practice session.

“We discussed cricketing things only. Australian manager (Steve Bernard) requested me to come and have a chat with them and that’s why I’m here,” he said.

On what he told the two Australian spinners, Bedi said, “I didn’t teach them anything today, in fact it’s not possible to teach something in 40 minutes. We only discussed spin, flight and guiles.”

Stress on confidence

Assessing the two spinners, Bedi said, “Krejza is a good off-spinner and so is White. But I guess White is too quick for a leggie.” He said it was important for the visiting team that its spinners bowled with a lot of self-confidence.

There is no doubt that Australia is missing spin wizard Shane Warne on this trip to India and Bedi acknowledged the fact as well.

“Definitely Warne has left a huge void behind him.

“Let’s see how Australia copes with that. But to be honest, you can never underestimate any Australian player.”

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