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Aussies to turn up the heat on Tendulkar

October 22, 2003 10:42 IST
Last Updated: October 22, 2003 10:44 IST


 World champions Australia see their forthcoming one-day tri-series in India as a chance to unsettle Sachin Tendulkar before the test series starting in December, paceman Andy Bichel said on Tuesday.

Ricky Ponting's one-day side will fly out of Sydney airport on Wednesday for the tri-series, which also includes New Zealand, starting on Thursday.

Bichel said Australia, who host India for the four-Test series in December and January, were keen to crush any sign of confidence from 30-year-old Tendulkar, one-day cricket's leading runscorer and test cricket's fifth-highest scorer.

Bichel, 33, a World Cup winner earlier this year, will lead Australia's pace attack after injuries to new-ball bowlers Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee.

"That (bowling to Tendulkar) is the toughest challenge," Bichel told reporters in Sydney.

"We've got to play Sachin (in Tests) out here this summer coming up, so it would be nice to get some wood on him on his own turf just coming into the Australian summer.

"So we're going to be right on our game and try not to give him some momentum coming into this summer."

Reliable back-up bowler Bichel, who has played 17 Tests and 54 one-day internationals, said the injury-weakened Australia side would not start favourites for the tri-series.

"The guys have been there, they've done it and it's going to be a good test for us, but no doubt we are underdogs coming into this," the Queenslander said.

"Going there in this role is good. It's a great feather in my cap, I suppose, to say that this is what I've worked for.

"This is for all the years of bowling and now I've got an opportunity to get out there and really perform the way I want to."


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Number of User Comments: 14




Sub: Wait and See

Even Rawalpidi Express, was waiting for Tendulkar in the world cup, and I think he also have made some comments like this prior to world ...


Posted by Nandu





Sub: Chokephobia!

I don't understand this stupid strategy. Why do opposing teams have to target Tendulkar? In the semi final and final matches anyway Tendulkar chokes and ...


Posted by Muralidhar Rao





Sub: Statement of Bichel

This has always been the strategy of Australians, before starting of any tour they have this tendancy to make the statements to upset the batsman. ...


Posted by Ajay





Sub: target tendulkar

...these guys start the same story everytime....and ultimately it has no bearing to whether sachin scores or fails....india wins or looses....isn't the aussie media tired ...


Posted by manish





Sub: Aussies Trick

This is just another dirty trick by Aussies. They had been playing abusive cricket to unsettle the opposition for many years (as testified by steve ...


Posted by Jaji




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