Hailing Anil Kumble as a bowler with "outstanding intuition,"
former Australian captain Steve Waugh said one should never underestimate
the veteran leg-spinner.
Impressed with Kumble's performance on the opening day of the first cricket
Test here, Waugh said Kumble was a clever bowler capable of reading the minds
of batsmen well.
"Having played against him many times, I knew never to
underestimate Anil Kumble - even though you would never lose any sleep stressing
over how to combat his bowling out in the middle," Waugh wrote in his column
for daily 'Herald Sun.' "His methods are subtle and often most effective
when you think you have him under control.
"He possesses outstanding intuition, which enables him
to sense complacency or uneasiness from a batsman, and in turn he cleverly mixes
up his deliveries and angles at the crease," Waugh said.
Analysing his old adversary's performance, the Aussie great said the spinner
exhibited great artistry while scalping Phil Jaques and Mike Hussey
today.
"He tempted Jaques with a flighted delivery that was a
well-concealed wrong 'un, while Mike Hussey departed to a quicker, flatter wrong
'un that beat him for pace.
"Both were clever pieces of artistry from a street-fighter,
who for many years has been the benchmark in mental toughness in Indian cricket."
Waugh felt that this series would be demanding on Kumble as he would play a
double role of captain and strike bowler against tough opponents like Australia.
"Being the captain this tour will provide him greatest challenge, as his
focus will have to be shared and not channelled," he said.
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