Ponting not a complete batsman, says Bhajji

Ricky Ponting might be regarded as one of the best modern-day batsman, but his nemesis Harbhajan Singh feels otherwise.

The off-spinner, who has always enjoyed an upper-hand against Ponting, said he did not consider the Australian captain a "complete batsman" because of his failure to play spin bowling.

"Ponting had a lot to say about our players and about the way we play our cricket. In fact, it is Ponting who first needs to go and learn to bat against spin bowling.

"He got a hundred in the first Test match in Bangalore but I don't think that is enough, he needs to comeback and score some more before he can claim to be a complete batsman," said Harbhajan, who picked up 15 wickets in the series which India won 2-0."I can get Ponting out any time, I think I can get him even after I come post a six-month lay off," Harbhajan told a sports channel.

Harbhajan said India drew inspiration from the Sydney controversy to beat the world champions in the recent series.Harbhajan was involved in the Monkeygate scandal during the Sydney Test earlier this year when the Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds accused the off-spinner of hurling racist abuse at him.Australia also had to cope with a lot of criticism for being unsporting even as India threatened to call-off the tour.

"I think the events in the Sydney Test match really hurt all of us. The things that they accused me of and their overall approach irked us as a team. The events at the Sydney Test match inspired this win."During the series, the Australians continued to play mind games. Adam Gilchrist and Symonds did it in their books while Ponting did in his captain's diary.

Harbhajan lashed out at them for employing cheap tactics to shore up the sale of their books."The whole team was infuriated by the claims made by Adam Gilchrist about Sachin Tendulkar. He is a legend and insulting him was a big mistake and Gilchrist accused him of things that he never did."

We're happy if we don't see Gambhir in Nagpur: Aus

Australian batsman michael hussey on Tuesday doffed his hat at in-form gautam Gambhir and had no hesitation in admitting that the visitors would be happy if the banned left-hander is not allowed to play the fourth and final Test match starting in Nagpur on Thursday.
Gambhir was handed a one Test ban for elbowing Shane Watson but the Indian opening batsman decided to appeal against the punishment.
According to International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations, Gambhir can play pending the hearing of his appeal by Justice Albie Sach but Hussey and his teammates are hoping that the left-hander would eventually miss the match.
"We're sort of hoping he'll miss the last Test but I think he'll still play pending his appeal," Hussey said.
"A process has been set in motion but if he is unable to play, it will certainly help us," he added.
Hussey likened Gambhir to Australia's retired opener Justin Langer and said the Delhi batsman hurt them most.
"He reminds me a lot of Justin Langer, small and punchy little character but knows his game very well, lets the ball come onto the bat, glides it through the offside well and works it off his pads. He's a very good player and probably someone who's exceeded our expectations about how well he's played," Hussey said of Gambhir, who is the leading run scorer in the series so far.
Hussey, however, felt that Gambhir was itching to pick up a fight with any of the Australian players to get into a fighting mindset.
"He looks around for it (chat) to be honest. It hasn't been a plan of ours to go at him and talk or whatever. But he does go around the field looking to engage certain players and looking to get involved and that sort of thing," Hussey said.
"So maybe that is part of his character, looking for a clash to try to pump himself up a bit more. He's always looking to engage, not so much 'good day how are you going', but an intense look and it's quite funny really," Hussey said.
The Australians, meanwhile, were upset after they could not train in the ground where the Test match will be played and Hussey did not hide his disappointment.
"I am someone who likes to get into the ground as early as possible, get gear set-up and all that sort of stuff, go out in the middle and have a look around because there are lots of distractions, every ground is different, so it's nice to become accustomed with those before you head out to play," he said.

Posted by

Anbu.