It is important to focus on line and length, says Mohammed Shami

Back in the mix after a long hiatus from Test cricket, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami said conditions in the West Indies will be similar to India and he would rather focus on line and length instead of being too excited about bounce and carry

New Delhi: Back in the mix after a long hiatus from Test cricket, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami said conditions in the West Indies will be similar to India and he would rather focus on line and length instead of being too excited about bounce and carry.

Mohammed Shami

"I have played there earlier and I haven't found them (the wickets) to be that different. They are almost similar to India. Yes, in the earlier times we would hear that the wicket is bouncy and all that but now the wickets are similar to those in Asia," Shami told BCCI.TV ahead of the three-Test series starting next month.

"So there is no need to be excited as a fast bowler that you will get bounce and carry. According to me it is important to focus on line and length." India is set to play three Tests starting with the opening match at North Sound, Antigua from July 21 to 25 and Shami is busy preparing himself for the tour.

"I have played there before and I have an idea of the conditions and one will have to be prepared (to utilise those). The main preparation should be for getting your line and length perfect for the wickets there (as per what suits those wickets)," he said.

"I've been playing whatever two-day, four-day (multi-day games) club or whatever other games that I get in order to be prepared for playing in the Tests," said the Bengal pacer, who recently featured in a club match at the Eden Gardens where he bowled with the pink ball.

Asked what will be the challenges against the West Indies side, Shami said: "West Indies is the kind of team that can give you a run for your money on a given day and so you have to be very focussed and aware. We have to focus on line and length (as bowlers).

"I will try to give in my best and as a unit the effort would be to bowl tight spells and get wickets." Shami, who made his Test debut against the West Indies in November 2013 at Eden Gardens, had a successful World Cup in 2015 where he picked up 17 wickets at a strike rate of 17.29 and an economy rate of 4.81.

However, Shami revealed that he bowled through pain in his left knee which kept recurring, following which he underwent a surgery and didn't play any international match ever since.

"I'm very excited to join the team. I'm thinking about the preparation. I just played a pink ball match and I am feeling good that I am able to bowl normally, like I used to earlier.

During the IPL, Shami was seen working closely with former India pacer Zaheer Khan in the Delhi Daredevils camp. Asked about his experience, Shami said: "You definitely benefit from working with experienced players. The aim while talking to him was to learn as much as I can and understand my game."

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