Bangalore Test, Day 2
Thursday, December 20, 2001

It's case of deju vu, I'm afraid. After winning the toss and batting first we're disappointed not to have made more than 350, but we nearly got there. James Foster played another good innings, though nothing he does surprises me. He's got a sensible head on those shoulders, he concentrates hard and is willing to learn, and those were the qualities that got him picked for this tour. At this level it's what you've got up top that counts. Two weeks ago everyone was asking what he was doing out here, but things change around very quickly on a tour like this.

We bowled well tonight. The wicket is a fraction uneven, though Ash is getting a lot of spin and bounce from out of the bowler's footmarks, and Freddie had a bit more going for him – he bowled straighter and hit the stumps twice. I don't care one iota whether people think we were bowling a negative line – as captain I do what's best for my team.

Ash had an over from around the wicket, but he got carted straight away, as there was absolutely nothing there. He's a big spinner of the ball, and to have him ripping it out of the rough is our best chance of taking wickets. In fact he should already have one, judging by the replays.

Tendulkar and I had an exchange of words, but that's understandable in the heat of battle. He plays the game hard, as it should be played, and frankly what is said on the pitch is best left on the pitch. The umpires and the match referee didn't see a problem – what problem?

It shows a very English mentality to start muttering about the tactics when we are on top. I refuse to ask my bowlers to put the ball exactly where Tendulkar likes it, say to him, "Here you go, Sachin, help yourself to a double-century", and watch him race off at five runs an over.

Last week everyone thought the wheels were coming off – at least this week we've got a plan. The next side that comes out here might puff out their chests and declare that they're going to bowl India out twice and win by a distance. The reality is that that does not happen out here. We've got three days left of a hard tour, and our bodies are all starting to fall apart a bit, but we're going to work every inch of the way.

Andrew Flintoff has been magnificent all tour, but he's struggling with a bit of a back injury, and he's hurt his finger which means he couldn't go in the slips. He's obviously unaffected by his lack of runs, but then, that's the advantage of being an allrounder. I remember Keith Fletcher saying the same to me when I used to bowl a bit at Essex. They are two completely different strings to your bow, but you've got to work on both as there will be times when you need to rely on one of them. The runs will come again.

Richard Dawson hasn't had a bowl yet, but as I say, that's purely because there is nothing in the wicket that will suit the orthodox spinner. Hopefully it will break up a bit by the last innings, and he will have a big part to play, but until that happens we are playing a Test match, not a club match. That's the point of having a captain. I am not about to chuck the ball to anyone and everyone. Giles and the seamers are our best bets so far.

It's been a strange atmosphere at this Test – they've been very English conditions so far, cloudy and cool. The lights have kicked in on occasions, which makes good sense and I agree with the ICC's decision. At the same time though natural light is always better than artificial light, and at the moment when the two overlap – twilight – it's still pretty tough to see the ball, especially when you've got Flintoff – and Srinath last night – steaming in.

Nasser Hussain was talking to Andrew Miller. His thoughts will appear on Wisden.com throughout the Test and one-day series.

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