Everything went according to plan: Warne
Staff Reporter - 28 February 2001
Star Australian leg spinner Shane Warne was a happy man at the end of the
day's play in the first Test, as he said that all the strategies worked for
them and things turned out the way they had planned.
Speaking to reporters at the post match press conference at the Wankhede
stadium on Tuesday, Warne added that they had planned the dismissal of each
and every Indian batsmen and bowled to them according to plan. He said that
everything went well except with Sachin Tendulkar.
Warne said that Tendulkar was a class batsman and he showed it today. He
added that it was still very hard to bowl to Tendulkar because he always
plays his shots even if the ball is pitched up or bowled short. He said
they had tried out a few plans but he came out on top.
Warne stated that the decision to bowl first was well thought out and the
skipper Steve Waugh was of the view that the pitch would support the three
quick bowlers in the first hour of the morning and "all went as we had
planned."
The 31-year-old leg spinner said that he was pleased with the wicket and
added that he was surprised to see the amount of turn and bounce on the
first day. He said it was a wicket that had something for both the bowlers
and the batsmen and "overall it is a good wicket."
On his own form he said that he was happy with the way he was bowling
and added that if things continued to go according to plan, he might pick
up a few wickets on the tour.
According to Warne, the turning point was the wicket of Tendulkar. He
admitted that till the little master was at the crease, it looked like he
would take the game away from the Australians.
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