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March 10, 2001
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'I'll go after Ganguly' -- McGrath

Rifat Jawaid in Calcutta

Aussie speedster Glenn McGrath loves to throw challenges at enemy batsmen. And he was at it again on the eve of the second Test at the Eden Gardens, in Calcutta.

“I didn’t get enough chances to bowl at Saurav in the first Test, I want to go after him at the Edens," the Aussie spearhead said, adding, "I also love bowling against Sachin. In the upcoming Test match, I'll be targetting these two Indian batsmen."

He appeared satisfied about the wicket for the Test, feeling that it looks bouncy and would help him generate some pace. “I am told that (Javagal) Srinath got quite a lot of bounce when he last played here. Therefore, I am optimistic that I should be able to bowl quick, and get some bounce. The idea is to get some early wickets so that we can put the Indian middle-order under enormous pressure. However, one factor that I am not ignoring is that Indians are used to hitting boundaries at ease here thanks to the incredibly fast outfield. I bowled 36 overs in the first Test for 44 runs. If I am able to maintain that average here, I will be happy," McGrath said.

McGrath revealed the flip side of his character when, in response to a question, he said he had always rated himself quite highly as a batsman. Pointing towards his captain Steve Waugh, McGrath said that it was his captain who underrated his batting skills and kept sending him at number eleven.

“ He (Steve) still thinks I can’t bat well despite the fact that I have many hundreds and double hundreds to my credit,” he added.

At which Steve Waugh snatched the mike from his fast bowler and murmured, "Give these guys a break, Glen, stop boasting of your batting skills."

Waugh for his part said India had some good spinners, but added that if they weren't getting results, it wasn't his job to worry about why. “My concern is to look after the preparation of my boys,” Waugh said.

He, however, did go on to share some thoughts about the Indian team, expressing the opinion that frequent changes at the top of the order was one major reason for India's troubles.

“If I was in Indian selection committee, I would have had patience in the guys whom I am picking for opening slot and wouldn’t have gone on experimenting with them in different positions. After all, the new boys need some time to be adjust themselves to the job of handling a lethal pace attack. But then, that's good for us, that the Indians haven't developed strong openers, it helps us make early inroads and put the middle order under pressure," Waugh said.

Waugh said that the win at Wankhede meant the pressure was squarely on India. "They have to win two to take the series, we only need to win one," he pointed out. Asked if he thought his team was unbeatable, Waugh said that such a statement could not be made about any team.

Commenting on Australia's 16-Test-winning streak, Waugh said, "Even we will be beaten one day. But," he added laughing, "it’s difficult for me to say when we will taste defeat in a Test and from our point of view, the later it happens the better."

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