Bengaluru, Oct 12:Debutant bowler Peter George opened his Test account with the prized wicket of Sachin Tendulkar on Day 4 of the Bengaluru Test. Addressing media persons at the end of day’s play on a landmark day for him, George admitted that the noisy crowd was a first for him and that he’d be happy to be even half as successful as former Australia speedster Glenn McGrath.
Excerpts
On getting Sachin Tendulkar’s wicket
I never gave up hope. It came down to patience and I tried everything possible and just kept trusting myself. I tried a few different things with the ball but tried to stay patient at the same time. To get Sachin was a great and shocking experience, I guess.
On getting more comfortable as the Test progresses
Yeah, I guess every passing stage it felt more comfortable in the field especially after the nervous start. Yesterday there was a swing in the air and I guess it will be there for most part of the day tomorrow I guess.
On whether he was confident about Australia being able to defend the total they would end up posting
Looks like the wicket is getting more and more hard to bat on. We will try and make as many runs in the morning and yeah we [are] confident [enough] to defend whatever the score is.
On how his body was holding up going into Day 5 of the Test
Yeah the body is feeling good. Obviously, I didn’t do anything on the first day. I have been involved in the game in the last three days and tomorrow will be my fourth day. My body is still feeling great.
On his teammates’ reaction after he got Sachin’s wicket
Yeah, [they cheered me on with] ‘Congratulations’ and ‘Well done’ but I guess it was relief for most of the guys to finally see the back of Sachin after such a long day yesterday. Obviously it was a lot of hard work.
On whether he was nervous on Day 1 of his debut Test
My first day I was very nervous – I hadn’t really experienced anything like this before. I definitely calmed down and felt more comfortable yesterday. This morning going into the match it was much better. I didn’t try to do too many things, but just [tried to] run in and bowl hard.
On bowling in front of the Bengaluru crowd
The crowd was something I have never experienced before. To be out there when Sachin brought up his 14,000 runs was an unbelievable experience. Screaming Indians fans going after Sachin was quite deafening [from] out there in the middle. It’s something I will always remember, I think. To be part of this match, to make my debut in front of such a lovely crowd, will be truly special for me.
On the slower bouncer to Sachin on Day 3
I actually told a few of the guys about it the night before, to look forward to that. I thought I might actually get a leg before with that one! On a wicket like that with not much bounce even with a faster one, I thought there was an opportunity to try the slower one.
We will obviously have learnt from the last game [when we] have to bowl. I think we did lot of things right there and [will] take lot of positive from that game. The learning experience we can take out of such a narrow defeat [is immense] and hopefully we can make a turnaround tomorrow. And we still have three wickets and hopefully [we will] make some runs and we will try and give our 100 percent.
On being compared to Glenn McGrath
To be compared with Glenn McGrath is a great honour for me. I guess the comparison is because of our similar bowing actions. I have watched him bowl a lot while growing up and kids generally resemble their favourite cricketers while they bowl or bat. Obviously, there is some comparison with the action. If I can be half as successful as he was I will be a very happy man.
