Carlisle: Our job is to give the Indians a good fight
Special Correspondent - 06 March 2002

Stuart Carlisle, the Zimbabwean skipper, was confident that his team could put up a much better showing in the one-dayers against India. He seemed quite happy with the wicket at Faridabad and with the fact that Tendulkar, Sehwag and Srinath were not playing. Here is what Carlisle told the news men:

How does the wicket look to you?

It seems quite good, should be good for batting. I think a side winning the toss should bat first. At least if we win the toss, we will bat first.

Have you decided on the eleven?

Not as yet, but we have shortlisted 12. But we are going in with three seamers plus two spinners in Grant Flower and Douglas Marillier. The wicket may not turn much, but in India you need spinners in your team.

Who will keep wickets? Andy Flower or Tatenda Taibu?

No, it's Taibu. Ideally, if Andy keeps wickets we can play an additional batsman but Taibu is a youngster who did well in the Tests, so we have to encourage him. He is talented and we have to back him now. He will be the wicket-keeper here.

What chances do you give your side?

Good, I must say. India are missing some of their stars so we have to seize the opportunity. We are not going to be bothered about India playing at home. Our job is to give them a tough fight.

But without Tendulkar, Srinath and Sehwag your teammates must be relieved?

Any team would be relieved to know that they would not be playing. They are such fine players and their absence would certainly boost our chances.

Will Zimbabwe miss Ray Price?

Price bowled well in the Tests but he is slightly slow in the air. In the one-dayers, the wickets are not expected to turn as much as they did in the Tests. So, he may not have made a big difference to the side in the one-dayers. Grant Flower can bowl left-arm spin so that gives us more options.

© CricInfo

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