Warne bowling slower in India

Kunal Pradhan

Australian leg spinner Shane Warne says he is bowling slower deliveries than usual to take advantage of the playing conditions in India.

Warne took four wickets as India were dismissed for 176 on Tuesday's opening day of the first Test and said his overall bowling strategy went according to plan.

"I bowled really well; if I continue this way I should pick up a few more wickets in the series," he said after bagging four wickets for 47 runs.

"I am bowling slower to adapt to the wickets. I'm not hurling donkey drops, but it's still slower than what I normally bowl."

Three years ago, Warne lost a duel with Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar in Australia's 2-1 Test series defeat in India and took only 10 wickets in three Tests at an average of 54.

Paceman Glenn McGrath made the vital breakthroughs on Tuesday including the wicket of Tendulkar, who top-scored with 76. McGrath finished with three for 19 from 19 overs -- bowling 13 maiden overs.

Warne said: "Sachin showed everyone why he's the best batsman in the world.

"It's so difficult bowling to him because if you give him anything short you get hit, if you bowl anything too full you get hit.

"But once he was gone, we knew the Indians were on the backfoot and we just pressed home the advantage," he said.

Warne bowled round the wicket more than usual and took a leg stump line to the right-handers.

"Going round the wicket is helping me a lot in India. I get a better side-on view and I find I'm able to turn the ball more," he said.

But the leg spinner said he is determined to maintain his wicket taking ways.

"I picked up four wickets for 80-odd runs in the first Test in the 1998 Indian series but did not get too many wickets after that. I hope things don't fall into a similar pattern," he said.

Mail Cricket Editor