Should have batted better in warm-up tie: Katich
Jaipur: Australia opener Simon Katich rued his sides failure to spend more time batting against RCA's centre of Excellence team on the first day of the two-day game here today.
The visitors were shot out for 218 in 77.1 overs after batting first on a slow and low pitch against a bowling attack consisting of Rajasthan Ranji team at Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
"We would have obviously wanted to score more, we wanted to spend more time at the middle and that was the purpose of this game. We played our last Test in West Indies. That was in June and that was long time back," he told reporters after the first day's play.
"But let us see tomorrow can be a different story. We have already taken two wickets and if we take the eight wickets in quick time we will bat again. I hope we get good match practice tomorrow," added Katich, who top-scored for the visitors with a strokeful 73.
Katich said he was satisfied to have done well today on a typical Indian wicket ahead of the Test series.
"It was a typical Indian wicket with little carry and low bounce, but surprisingly little spin. Most of our guys fell because of low bounce and sometimes balls skidding past. So, obviously I am satisfied to have batted well on conditions which we may get in the Test series," he said.
Australians are known for their brisk pace of scoring but Katich had his answer ready for the slow scoring today.
"We can't just go about scoring a run a ball or some 100 runs in one hour. It is not Australia and we have to be patient in India. The guys who did well in 2004 like Damien Martyn in middle order did the same," said the 33-year-old left-handed batsman. Asked if he would come out with Matthew Hayden to open in the Test series, Katich came up with an expected 'I don't know' answer.
"I can't say I would open or not. In the West Indies I had opened because Hayden was injured and Gilly was not there. In this tour I am basically an extra batsman. So, let us see what happens," he said.
Home team captain Venugopal Rao expressed satisfaction that they had shot out the world top team for just over 200.
"We have done our job. We had a plan and that worked out. But they are the world's top team they can come back at you hard tomorrow, so we have to be consistent and do well tomorrow also," he said.
"We have shot them out for 218. I think it is good news for the Indian cricket fans. They will be happy at our performance today," quipped Venugopal who had played for India in 16 one-dayers.
Venugopal was all praise for the young Bikaner spinner Gajendra Singh who took five wickets today.
"He has become very mature in his bowling now. It is no mean achievement to have taken five Australian wickets in any form of the game," he added.
PTI
