Dravid puts faith in India's middle men by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 9th March 2007

 

India skipper Rahul Dravid believes Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly as well as himself will be key to whether or not his side win the World Cup.

 

In a tournament where batsmen will again dominate, and in which many observers think the 500-run innings total will be smashed, Dravid knows that he and his two experienced lieutenants have crucial roles to play.

 

"I believe that the experienced players who have been around a long time have got to do the difficult things, have got to do the things that are hard," he said.

 

Dravid, Tendulkar and Ganguly are members of a rare breed - three men who have broken through the 10,000-run barrier in one-day cricket.

 

The captain has 10,044 from 310 games, Tendulkar a staggering 14,783 in 381 and Ganguly, now restored to the team after a controversial absence, 10,470 in 286 appearances.

 

"We've got a lot of experience, we've played a lot of cricket so we feel that during those middle overs we can do a job for the team and also, I think even when chasing, and finishing games," he explained.

 

"I see myself along with people like Yuvraj (Singh) and (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni as people who can stay to the end and try to finish games and play according to the situation."

 

Dravid and Tendulkar were quickly into the runs on Tuesday in the opening warm-up match against the Netherlands with the captain making 74 and Tendulkar 61 as India piled up 300 and then bowled out the Dutch for 118.

 

However, they face a sterner test on Friday whn they take on hosts West Indies at the Trelawny stadium in their final warm-up.

 

"It's good to take this (their form against the Netherlands) forward into the game against the West Indies," Dravid told the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper.

 

"These games allow you to play as many players as possible. We're still trying to fine-tune a few things.

 

"We're pretty comfortable in our minds and we know what sort of scores we're likely to play in the tournament so it's really a chance to give everyone in the squad a good bowling opportunity, and as much time in the middle with whatever skill they're doing."

 

After Friday's match India head for Trinidad for their opening round Group B games against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bermuda.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)