Perth Scorchers’ Brad Hogg on Tuesday said the biggest challenge for his team would be facing Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Sunil Narine when the two teams clash under lights in the Oppo Champions League Twenty20 cricket championship at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Wednesday.
“Narine turns the ball both ways and is always accurate. He can put a lot of pressure on the batsmen. A quality spinner no doubt,” said Hogg on Tuesday.
“It is always great to play an IPL team with so many good players. The pitch looks good and might turn later on as it did the other night. This also gives us a chance to test our spin bowling and how much we have improved. We are keen to cause a major upset,” said the 43-year-old spinner.
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KKR bowling coach Wasim Akram said his team was keen to enter the knockout with a decisive win. “Yes, we have won two out of two games. But, it is not yet clear who has qualified for the knockout. We cannot underestimate any team. Yes, we rely a lot on our spin attack on a pitch which I feel is the best in this country,” he said.
“I reckon Narine is the best spinner in the T20 format in the world and is improving day by day. He looks capable of taking a wicket at any time in the game,” said Akram.
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“We have in (Gautam) Gambhir one of the best captains with a knack of getting wickets, which is the best way to stop the flow of runs in any format,” the KKR bowling coach said. “Jacques Kallis had some problem with his neck but is definitely feeling better. We will see how it works out,” he said.