Hailing India's 'quality spin bowling' as the difference between the two sides, Australian captain Ricky Ponting reckoned this is the best he has seen Piyush Chawla bowl
Hailing India's 'quality spin bowling' as the difference between the two sides, Australian captain Ricky Ponting reckoned this is the best he has seen Piyush Chawla bowl. Chawla, who took 4-31, to inspire India to an unexpected 38-run win last night, sent down big gogglies without fear, varied his pace, and precisely bowled to fields given to him by his skipper.
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| Ricky Ponting argues with Indian bowler S Sreesanth during the warm-up tie ahead of the 2011 World Cup at Bangalore yesterday.
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This is the same Chawla who started his spell with five wides, and showed flashes of the same unpredictable youngster of the past. "I have never seen him (Chawla) bowl as well. I have never seen him too much in one-day cricket. Have played against him in a few matches before, but rarely have I seen him turn the ball so much, and that too with so much control. "He's got some good variations. It's probably a little harder to start against him, or any other good spinner, on such a surface. All of India's spinners are good bowlers," said Ponting. Meanwhile, both captains critcised the pitch. "This one (wicket) looked a little underprepared. We realise that we will get better wickets as the tournament progresses.u00a0 We'll have to find a way to do well in such conditions. In hindsight, some surfaces will have due, and would be easier to chase," Ponting said. Dhoni said: "It was a very tough wicket to bat on. Initially, the ball was coming on nicely when seamers bowled. "But, when we got a few wickets, and the ball started turning a lot, it became really tough for batsmen. I sincerely believe we'll get better wickets as the event progresses.u00a0 This was almost an ideal Test wicket, with the ball turning immediately. I am not saying it's a bad wicket, but it's more suitable to the longer format," he said.India's next warm-up tie: Against NZ in Chennai on Wednesday.
