Morkel looks forward to IPL duel with Sachin

Delhi Daredevils' pacer Morne Morkel is relishing the prospect of another bowling duel with Sachin Tendulkar when his side takes on the Mumbai Indians in an Indian Premier League match on Sunday.

South African quickie Morkel had accounted for Tendulkar's wicket during the league stage match of the World Cup in Nagpur, which the Proteas won by three wickets.

He had also dismissed Tendulkar once during India's nearly two-month-long tour of South Africa just before the World Cup.

The lanky pacer said he had always enjoyed playing against the world's leading run-scorer in Test and one-day cricket.

"For the last couple of months, I had been regularly bowling to Tendulkar. Obviously, it's going to be one big challenge tomorrow. He is a world-class player and everyone knows that. He has been performing well for the last couple of months. It's a big challenge and as always I am looking forward to it," said Morkel.

The South African was bought by the Delhi outfit for USD 475,000 on the first day of the players' auction held in Bangalore in the second week of January this year.

When asked about sharing the dressing room with India opener Virender Sehwag, who is the skipper of Delhi Daredevils, Morkel said it's good to have a calm and composed person like him in the IPL.

"He is a good guy. Always planning and bringing out new things. It's exciting sharing the dressing room with him. He is the captain of our side and it's special to work under him. He is very calm and cool guy and it's good to have him in IPL," he said.

Morkel said it would be tough adjusting to the Twenty20 format but is ready to perform.

"It's going to be tough to adjust but IPL is a huge tournament and I am ready to play my part. It's going to be an exciting tournament with a new bunch of guys. First game is tomorrow and we are done with our preparations. Looking forward to start the tournament on a winning note," he said.

Morkel said it would be challenging to bowl on Indian wickets. "... but it's a challenge that I have always enjoyed. I have fair idea of the Indian conditions and pitches as the World Cup just finished. I am improving my skills on a daily basis."

© PTI

'Transition to ODIs from T20 will be smooth'

Press Trust Of India
Posted on Jun 09, 2008 at 15:15 Updated Jun 09, 2008 at 20:35

Dhaka: India coach Gary Kirsten ruled out any Indian Premier League hangover on the team and asserted that the transition from Twenty20 to One-Day cricket would be smooth for his wards in their tri-series opener against arch-rivals Pakistan here on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters ahead of the match, Kirsten said the team think-tank have done enough to ensure that the players swiftly adjust into the One-Day mode.

"It is something we have given some considerations and thoughts too. We need to make sure that our game plan and strategies are designed for 50 overs cricket. It is different to what they did in IPL. So, we worked hard during the last two days to get things right," Kirsten said.

The Indian players just finished their assignment in the 44-day IPL and had hardly any breathing space as they flew in here for the tri-series.

Asked if they were made to play too many matches, Kirsten said, "That is the reason that the selectors have chosen a pretty young side for this tournament and the Asia Cup.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/transition-to-odis-from-t20-will-be-smooth/32062-13.html

India, Pakistan set to spice up dull series

Digvijay Singh Deo CNN-IBN

Dhaka: India versus Pakistan: a cricketing rivalry that sets pulses racing anywhere in the world at any time. And in Dhaka on Tuesday the two teams will face off in the shadow of the high of the IPL. But India's coaching staff is hopeful that the IPL hangover is well and truly over.

The mood in the Indian camp is relaxed yet gung-ho about a battle with old rivals Pakistan. The weather gods haven't been kind but the management hasn't allowed it to dampen the spirits.
"There is no issue of motivation about the intensity the guys are going to play with. They know they are representing their country, it's a big game," coach Gary Kirsten says, dispelling murmurs of lack of commitment.

Virender Sehwag missed the practice session due to a light fever but he is expected to be fit and available for selection. The lack of experience isn't worrying the team too much. This is a building block after what the young guns achieved in Australia.

"There are still some senior players who are available to play One-day cricket for India, and certainly they are going to be considered. I think every team in the world needs to go through this transition, repairing," Kirsten adds.

Pakistan didn't break any sweat in thrashing the hosts and opted to have a rest day. They are on a 12-match winning streak and a young team is ready for India.

"We have won 11 (now 12) in a row which is a record for Pakistan, but we would like to take that much further. And hopefully with a win in this tournament it would be the ideal start," says Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson.

The advantage of having a young side is that they are fearless and they don't care too much about the opposition. Pakistan are on a hot streak and come into this match after having registered 12 successive wins on the trot. But India are keyed up and the stage is set for a classic before the final.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/india-pakistan-set-to-spice-up-dull-series/32067-13.html