Bengaluru, Oct 10: Marcus North smashed 128 as Australia reached 478 in their first innings before they were all out at the stroke of Tea on the second day at the Chinnaswamy stadium. The tourists came back to deal India a double blow by removing Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid in the space of a run. India, however, recovered to end the day on 128-2.
Addressing the media at the end of day’s play North said that it was a satisfying hundred for him as it came when his team needed it the most.
Excerpts from the conference.
On whether the century in the second Test has assured him an Ashes berth
That you have to ask the national selectors. I knew I was under pressure going into this game. Not just because of the outside influences but also the standards I have set for myself. I have got a few disappointing Test matches [behind me] but it was fortunate to go out there and bat on a good batting surface. I got a start yesterday and I made the most of it.
On scoring a hundred
It was a satisfying 100 because I was under pressure and also it was the last Test before the Ashes. It was nice to get a score and contribute.
Throughout the innings I felt that I was hitting the ball very well and I was accessing the ball really well. India is a great place to bat but can be a little difficult at times. The outfields are quick and the wickets are good on the first couple of days. I have travelled a lot to India, been at the MRF academy and have been to Bangalore.
On whether he was under pressure because of his late Test debut
Before making my Test debut I didn’t think that I would play for Australia. I enjoy every Test match and make the most of it. It can be a bit difficult at times - this is my 19th Test match and I try to enjoy every game. My aim is to contribute to Australia in every Test match.
On whether having toured Bengaluru with first class sides was beneficial to him going into the Test
I’ve made a few hundreds for Western Australia and played a game for Australia A here but [playing in a] Test match is a different scenario.
On the wicket at the Chinnaswamy
It is a good batting surface. It is going to hold together very well. It was tacky and moist on Day One. It will take a few days to dry up - there is a little bit of deterioration. On Days 4 and 5, the wicket will probably start turning. [For the] first few days it is a pretty good batting surface. Tomorrow we have to come out and be pretty disciplined to try and get a couple of breakthroughs to get through the Indian middle-order.
On Sachin Tendulkar crossing the 14,000-run mark in Test cricket
He is a pretty amazing player. To be on the same ground where he got his 14000th run is pretty special and it is a great credit to his career. I just talked about the pressure of Test matches but this guy has got the pressure of the entire nation on him. He is someone we are trying to remove pretty quickly tomorrow. At the same ground that Tendulkar reached his 14000th run, in the same game, I got my first 1000 runs and that gives us some perspective.
On whether he was surprised at not having a bowl today
It is up to Ricky [Ponting] and his tactics - probably he may have thought that he needed a bowler who would spin the ball away from the right- handers. As for [Nathan] Hauritz, he bowled well last week. There are plenty of times when he has not bowled as good as last week and picked four or five wickets. The Indian spinners too did not have any great success on this wicket. The wicket is still very true. Hopefully Nathan can come into his own in the next couple of days.
On Ben Hilfenhaus
Hilfenhaus has been impressive in all conditions since his debut and he is a natural swing bowler suited to Australian and English conditions. Coming over here he has proved that there is more to his game than swinging the ball. He can bang the ball hard, cross-seam and bowl tight.
On Rahul Dravid’s wicket
Great credit to Mitch [Johnson] and Ponting for the Dravid dismissal. Our plan worked today and we got the nick and it was nice to see the back of him.
