Pakistan's depleted bowling attack notwithstanding, India's opening batsman Wasim
Jaffer feels his unbeaten 192 on the first day of the second cricket Test
here was a good preparation for the team's tour of Australia later this
year.
"I'm happy with the knock. I hadn't scored 192 in a day before. That way
this is special," Jaffer told reporters after the opening day's play at the
Eden Gardens.
"Down Under conditions are different. And the bowling will also be different.
But it (the knock) will help me prepare for the Ausssie tour," he added.
Pakistan pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad
Sami have not fully recovered from fever and Jaffer admitted that it made
a huge difference to the visiting side.
"Unfit Akhtar made the difference... He did not
bowl enough. His absence from the bowling line up (for the larger part of the
day) hampered the Pakistan attack... His absence hurt them," he
said.
The 29-year-old Mumbai batsman said, however, refused to compare his knock
with the 212 his only Test double century to date he notched up against the
West Indies in September last year.
"All hundreds are special. I have got only a few hundreds," said
the cricketer, who made his debut for India opposite South Africa in
Mumbai seven and a half years back.
Asked if he was aiming at crossing the Indian highest of 309
scored by Virender Sehwag in Multan, Jaffer said "let me get the
first run tomorrow. And then I will think.
|
