Cricket News: Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 thinks Harbhajan Singh Fit for Aussie Series
As the opening test between Australia and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 draws nearer, speculation is rife that the Indian spin ace Harbhajan Singh is unfit for the match. However these concerns were brushed aside by the vice-captain of the Australian
team Michael Clarke.
Clarke feels that the off-spinner, nicknamed “Turbanator” in reference to the traditional Sikh head gear, has an impressive record against the formidable Aussies.
He played a leading role in his team’s historic 2-1 win in the 2001-02 series in India where the hosts pulled off an enthralling series win, and in the process brought to a halt the Australian world record sequence of 16 consecutive
test wins.
The stylish Clarke, who is one of the lynchpins in the Australian batting line-up, was addressing a press conference on Tuesday in India's northern Chandigarh city; venue of the first test of the two match series.
Clarke said, “I am very confident Harbhajan will play. I saw him bowling yesterday after the end of day's play, and I know how much he loves playing against Australia. I will be very surprised if he doesn't
play so I am going to be preparing like he is going to. But of course, if he doesn't play it's a huge plus for us. He's a very good bowler and he has had a lot of success against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746.”
The off-spinner, who is one of the leading wicket takers in Indian test history with more than 300 wickets to his name, is trying to be fit for the first Test match which will be under way on the 1st of October.
The temperamental spin wizard suffered a calf injury during a practice session on Monday; he was rushed to taken to hospital for a scan.
The doctors who examined him have asked him to take a few days rest; on the other hand the national selectors are waiting for an update on his status and are mulling if they can go into the big match without their key performer.
Meanwhile Clarke told the media persons during the press conference that modern players have an uphill task of adjusting to different conditions and opponents at a very fast pace as tours keep coming thick and fast through out
the year and all over the world.
The hosts are set to take on the Australians in the Mohali district of the northern state of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Punjab-c833, in the first test match of the series, while the second will be staged in Bangalore between October 9 and 13.
The tourists have raised their concerns on the state of security at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore after a couple of cracker explosions at the venue caused panic on the eve of an Indian Premier League match at the venue earlier
in the year.
The series is already being dubbed as a mouth watering contest between two leading test teams in the world who have fought in some memorable contests in recent years in both Australia and India.
The hosts are currently ranked the number one test team in the world, a position that was all Australia’s only a couple of years ago.
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