By IANS
Kolkata : Aussie medium pacer Michael Kasprowicz says the series between Australia and India this year is going to be a tough battle.
“If you look at how the two teams performed, you will see while Australia have the experience of winning constantly over a long period of time… the conditions in India are always going to be tough. I figured it out during my tours to India in 1998 and 2001,” Kasprowicz, 35, said here Friday evening.
“Indians are performing quite well at the moment. They are enjoying the game. The series will be very competitive,” said Kasprowicz, who is on a visit to Kolkata as a brand ambassador of University of Queensland of Australia.
The Aussies will visit India for a seven-match ODI series in September-October and India will follow it up with a tour to Australia early next year.
Kasprowicz, plagued by a groin injury, is certain to miss out the ODI tour to India.
About his recovery, Kasprowicz said: “I’m recovering very well. I’ll make a comeback this summer (October). With (Glenn) McGrath not playing, I hope my experience and good performance will help… Though, it’ll be hugely tough.
“It’s all about injury management. You’ve to undertake a lot of workload so as to reach a level and maintain that,” said Kasprowicz, who is known for his never-say-die spirit.
Asked to comment on Indian Cricket League, the Aussie said: “I’ve heard quite a lot about it. Be it rebel league or whatever, any form of cricket is a hit in India. But at the moment my focus is to play for Queensland.”
Kasprowicz last played a Test against South Africa in 2006 and his last ODI appearance was against England in 2005.
After he was left out of Australian central contract following his recurring groin injury in 2006-07, it’s the University of Queensland that keeps him busy these days.
Sharing his experiences of playing against India, he said that bowling to Sachin Tendulkar is what he remembered the most. A veteran of 38 Tests – nine against India – Kasprowicz considers Sachin the toughest batsman to bowl.
“He was the toughest to bowl at. Especially in the Indian conditions, he was hard to contain. It’s very difficult to stop him from scoring runs,” he said.
Kasprowicz scalped Tendulkar twice during the five Tests in 1997-98.
However, he supports the Mumbaikar to continue playing. “If he (Tendulkar) enjoys his game, then why not.”
Kasprowicz said the exit of Glenn MacGrath and Shane Warne had left a vacuum in the Aussie team.
“Both MacGrath and Warne are always going to be special for Australian cricket. It’s hard to recreate them. One can’t expect the young players in the team to become like them, it’s unfair on the youngsters.”
“However,” Kasprowicz said, “our country’s cricketing structure is too good for the board and fans to worry about the onset of a transition phase in the national team.”